New Delhi, June 18: The political atmosphere in Maharashtra has once again become charged with speculation over the alleged Operation Tiger Maharashtra, a term that has dominated headlines amid reports of a possible split within the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Anil Desai has strongly rejected the claims, stating that the rumours “don’t hold any water” and have been unnecessarily amplified by the media.

Speaking to ANI ahead of the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, Desai categorically denied reports suggesting that several MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction were preparing to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. According to him, Operation Tiger Maharashtra is nothing more than political speculation that has been exaggerated without any factual basis.

Desai stated that the media has given excessive attention to Operation Tiger Maharashtra, creating unnecessary confusion among party workers and supporters. He maintained that the party leadership remains united and there is no indication of any internal rebellion or split.

Operation Tiger Maharashtra Sparks Political Buzz

The term Operation Tiger Maharashtra has gained momentum after reports claimed that seven out of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament were allegedly in contact with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction. The speculation revived memories of the dramatic political developments in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a massive rebellion that split the Shiv Sena and eventually formed a new government in Maharashtra with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Since then, every political development involving the two Sena factions has attracted significant public attention. The latest Operation Tiger Maharashtra rumours have once again fuelled debates over the stability of Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership and the future of the opposition alliance in the state.

Despite these reports, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership insists that the speculation lacks credibility and has been rejected outright by the party.

Anil Desai Rejects Operation Tiger Maharashtra Claims

Addressing reporters before attending the parliamentary meeting, Anil Desai said the rumours surrounding Operation Tiger Maharashtra were baseless.

“It doesn’t hold any water, but the media has blown it out of proportion,” Desai remarked while responding to questions regarding the alleged operation.

He further explained that parliamentary meetings are a routine exercise conducted by political parties and should not be interpreted as signs of political instability.

According to Desai, the issuance of a whip directing all Lok Sabha MPs to attend the meeting was standard parliamentary procedure and had nothing to do with the reports surrounding Operation Tiger Maharashtra.

He also stressed that all party MPs understand the importance of attending parliamentary meetings and have consistently participated in such gatherings in the past.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Denies Any Internal Split

As speculation over Operation Tiger Maharashtra intensified, Anil Desai reiterated that the party had already dismissed the rumours.

“We have already rubbished the conjectures being played in the media. I don’t think that is going to happen,” he said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership has consistently maintained that no MP is planning to defect and that the party remains committed to functioning as a united political force under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray.

Party leaders believe the rumours are aimed at creating confusion ahead of important political developments in Maharashtra.

Uddhav Thackeray Closely Monitoring Developments

Desai also revealed that party chief Uddhav Thackeray is personally monitoring every political development related to Operation Tiger Maharashtra.

“As the party president, he is keeping a close eye on the developments. We are constantly in touch with him, and all members remain connected with the leadership,” Desai said.

His remarks were intended to reassure party workers that the leadership remains united despite the ongoing speculation.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary meeting was held in Delhi with all MPs instructed to attend through an official party whip, reinforcing the leadership’s message of unity.

Chandrakant Raghuvanshi Makes Contrasting Claims

While Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders denied the reports, Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi made a contrasting claim regarding Operation Tiger Maharashtra.

According to Raghuvanshi, six MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) had already expressed confidence in Eknath Shinde and joined his faction.

He welcomed the alleged move, saying it reflected the leaders’ desire to work for public welfare.

Raghuvanshi argued that leaders interested in development should join the alliance of Shiv Sena and the BJP to ensure faster implementation of public projects.

He also claimed that Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology continues to inspire leaders and that many believe Eknath Shinde is carrying forward that legacy.

However, these claims have not been officially confirmed by either the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership or the Election Commission, leaving Operation Tiger Maharashtra largely within the realm of political speculation.

No Official Confirmation Yet

Despite widespread discussion surrounding Operation Tiger Maharashtra, there has been no official announcement confirming that any Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have defected to the Eknath Shinde-led faction.

Political observers note that such rumours frequently emerge during periods of heightened political activity, particularly ahead of parliamentary sessions or key elections.

Until formal resignations or official party announcements are made, the claims remain unverified.

The absence of official confirmation has prompted many analysts to advise caution before drawing conclusions regarding the future of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Political Significance of Operation Tiger Maharashtra

The renewed discussion surrounding Operation Tiger Maharashtra highlights the continuing rivalry between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Since the 2022 split, Maharashtra politics has remained highly competitive, with both factions claiming to represent the true legacy of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Any movement of MPs between the two camps could significantly influence political equations in the state as well as at the national level.

However, for now, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership insists that Operation Tiger Maharashtra exists only in media reports and not in political reality.

The controversy surrounding Operation Tiger Maharashtra has once again placed Maharashtra politics in the national spotlight. While Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai has categorically denied reports of any split and accused the media of exaggerating the issue, leaders from the Eknath Shinde camp continue to claim that several MPs are ready to join them.

With no official confirmation of defections, the political situation remains fluid. As Maharashtra prepares for future political battles, all eyes will remain on developments within both Shiv Sena factions.

Whether Operation Tiger Maharashtra turns out to be a genuine political realignment or simply another episode of political speculation will become clear only in the coming days.