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Four years after Eknath Shinde’s rebellion redrew Maharashtra’s political map, the question confronting Uddhav is a familiar one: is yet another breakaway faction taking shape?
Political observers note that unlike the 2022 rebellion, which centred on MLAs and control of the state government, the current battle is focused on Parliament and political symbolism. (AI-Generated Image)
One MP drove for hours from Hadgaon to Hyderabad before catching a flight. Two others travelled separately by road to Nanded Airport before boarding a chartered aircraft to Delhi. Another flew in from Mumbai. Yet another took a direct flight from Shirdi.
Individually, the journeys appeared routine. Together, they have become the latest source of anxiety for Uddhav Thackeray.
As six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs quietly converged on the national capital through a mix of road trips, commercial flights and chartered planes, rumours of an impending split gathered pace in Maharashtra. With several MPs reportedly becoming difficult to contact and speculation mounting over the formation of a separate parliamentary group, the focus of a political crisis that began in Mumbai has now shifted nearly 1,400 kilometres away to Delhi.
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Four years after Eknath Shinde’s rebellion redrew Maharashtra’s political map, the question confronting Uddhav Thackeray is a familiar one: is yet another breakaway faction taking shape?
Different Routes, Same Destination
CNN-News18 has learnt that the rebel MPs did not travel together.
Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar drove from Hadgaon to Hyderabad before boarding a commercial flight to Delhi. Yavatmal MP Sanjay Deshmukh and Parbhani MP Sanjay Jadhav travelled separately by road to Nanded Airport before boarding a chartered aircraft to the national capital. Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar flew from Mumbai, while Shirdi MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure took a direct flight from his constituency. Mumbai MP Sanjay Dina Patil also travelled to Delhi on a chartered aircraft.
Reports suggest several MPs have become difficult to contact, with senior leaders in Mumbai struggling to establish communication. According to NDTV, concerns within the Uddhav Thackeray camp intensified after some MPs allegedly stopped responding to calls, prompting the party leadership to shift its focus to developments unfolding in Delhi.
The Shadow Of ‘Operation Tiger’
The developments have revived memories of ‘Operation Tiger’, a phrase that has become shorthand in Maharashtra political circles for efforts to engineer defections from the Uddhav Thackeray camp.
In recent weeks, rumours of a fresh operation gained momentum after several Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders publicly acknowledged attempts by rival camps to lure elected representatives. On Tuesday, senior party leader Sanjay Raut took to X to claim that an advance payment of Rs 15 crore was being offered to MPs to facilitate defections. “Apna Sapna Money Money! It’s shocking and revolting that Maharashtra MPs are reportedly being offered ₹15 crore each tonight to switch sides.”
ALSO READ | ‘Those Who Want To Leave Can Go’: Uddhav Thackeray’s Message To Party MPs Amid ‘Op Tiger’ Buzz
Raut’s remarks also prompted a reaction from Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who reposted his message and responded with a sarcastic swipe, questioning the “meagre” amount being offered. “No no — Mahua ji, the Minimum Support Price is fixed at ₹50 crore per MP. ₹15 crore is just the advance. Frankly, these people aren’t even worth ₹50,000. Their price has only gone up because of the Shiv Sena and TMC brand label,” Raut responded.
Political observers note that unlike the 2022 rebellion, which centred on MLAs and control of the state government, the current battle is focused on Parliament and political symbolism.
Why Delhi Matters
The significance of Delhi lies not only in the MPs themselves but also in what their numbers represent.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with one of the strongest opposition performances in Maharashtra. Any split among its MPs would be politically damaging for Uddhav Thackeray, who has spent the last four years rebuilding his organisation after losing the original Shiv Sena name and symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction.
For the ruling alliance, even a small breakaway group would strengthen the argument that support for Uddhav Thackeray continues to erode at multiple levels of the party.
ALSO READ | Operation Tiger And The Ghost Of 2022: Why Uddhav Thackeray Is Battling Fresh Defection Fears
Several reports suggest discussions are underway regarding the formation of a separate parliamentary bloc that could eventually align with the NDA. The buzz was further solidified on Wednesday when reports emerged that the rebels were planning to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Eknath Shinde in Delhi.
Echoes Of 2022
For many in Maharashtra, the images feel familiar. Then, too, elected representatives disappeared from public view, travelled across states, switched hotels and remained difficult to contact while political rumours swirled.
This time there are no resorts in Surat or Guwahati. Instead, there are charter flights landing in Delhi, phones going silent and a party leadership scrambling for answers.
For now, the most closely watched political destination in Maharashtra is not Mumbai. It is Delhi.
About the Author
Apoorva Misra is a News Editor at News18.com with a keen interest in politics and current affairs. She loves uncovering fresh angles and telling stories through long-form features and explainers. Foll…Read More
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