'Six tigers are here': Rebel UBT Sena MPs join Shinde camp, delivering a major blow to Uddhav Thackeray

The MPs who crossed over are Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North-East), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Bhausaheb Vakchaure (Shirdi).

The rebel group constitutes two-thirds of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Lok Sabha strength, allowing them to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection provisions.

Shinde hails switch as completion of 'Operation Tiger'

Welcoming the MPs into his faction, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the development as the successful completion of "Operation Tiger".

"The six tigers are here. They have now joined the real Shiv Sena family," Shinde said while addressing party workers and leaders.

Drawing parallels with his 2022 rebellion that split the undivided Shiv Sena, Shinde said the latest defections marked another milestone in the party's expansion.

"Four years ago, on June 22, 2022, we launched a rebellion with 40 MLAs. This time, we have hit a sixer," he said.

Attendance at Delhi meeting fuels rebellion speculation

Signs of trouble had emerged earlier when only three of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs attended an emergency parliamentary party meeting convened by the Thackeray camp in Delhi.

The low turnout intensified speculation that a major split was imminent within the party's parliamentary ranks.

Taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, one of the party's most vocal leaders, Shinde remarked, "With the presence of three Sanjays here, no other Sanjay counts anymore."

Rebel MPs cite development concerns

According to Shinde, the defecting MPs expressed concerns over inadequate development funds for their constituencies, a factor that contributed to their decision to switch camps.

"We will ensure there is no shortage of funds for the development of the constituencies represented by these MPs," he said.

Shinde also defended the move as being carried out within the framework of parliamentary rules and constitutional provisions.

Uddhav camp hits back, Raut calls rebels 'traitors'

The defections triggered a sharp response from the Thackeray camp.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators, Sanjay Raut accused Shinde of engineering the split and branded the rebel MPs as "traitors".

Raut's remarks further escalated the war of words between the two rival Sena factions, which have been locked in a bitter political battle since the 2022 split.

Shiv Sena strengthens position in Maharashtra

With the addition of six Lok Sabha MPs, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has significantly strengthened its parliamentary presence and emerged as the second-largest political party from Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha.

Shinde said critics had once dismissed his faction as a party limited to Thane, but the latest development demonstrated its growing influence across the state.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray is expected to launch a statewide outreach campaign from June 27, during which he will visit constituencies represented by the rebel MPs in an attempt to consolidate support and counter the political fallout from the defections.