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Uddhav's Party to Split up Again? Big Buzz in Maharashtra as MPs 'Skip' Meet, Sena ‘Doors Open’
Raut said the party’s nine MPs remain with Uddhav Thackeray and will attend the June 19 foundation-day event despite defection rumors.
On Monday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut dismissed defection rumors, asserting that all nine party MPs remain committed and declaring the launch of "Operation Wolf" to target political opponents.
Speculation has intensified regarding an alleged "Operation Tiger," a political move reportedly designed to attract leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp to the faction headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
During a Sunday meeting at Matoshree, only four MPs—Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waze and Sanjay Patil—attended in person, while others joined virtually or cited medical emergencies.
Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar fueled speculation by claiming elected representatives prefer aligning with Shinde for his development-oriented approach, dismissing Raut's efforts to prevent defections as ineffective.
To demonstrate party unity, Thackeray has summoned all MLAs to a June 22 meeting, while Raut confirmed all MPs will attend the undivided Shiv Sena foundation day on June 19.
A major political upheaval is brewing in Maharashtra. Discussions of a split within Mamata Banerjee's party have barely subsided, and now there are reports of a rift within Uddhav Thackeray's faction. It is claimed that six of the nine UBT MPs are in a rebellious mood and may soon form a separate faction and join the Shinde camp.