History Haunts Uddhav Again: Six Sena (UBT) MPs Set to Defect on Party's Own Foundation Day

History appears to be repeating itself for Uddhav Thackeray , and with cruel symmetry. Four years after Eknath Shinde tore the heart out of the undivided Shiv Sena by leading 39 MLAs into rebellion, the Thackeray camp is once again bracing for a split, this one unfolding in New Delhi , and timed, perhaps deliberately, for the most stinging of occasions: the party's own 60th foundation day on June 19 .

Six Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray-led faction are reportedly set to extend support to the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde , in what is being described as "Operation Tiger." The six MPs, currently in New Delhi, are expected to submit a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla formally informing him of the formation of a separate group and its support to the Shinde-led Sena.

The political storm began gathering force when several MPs failed to attend a meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree , fuelling defection buzz. Sources in the Shinde camp said the rebellion is linked to the anticipated elevation of Aditya Thackeray , son of the Sena (UBT) chief, with several MPs reportedly unwilling to accept his rise to a bigger role within the party. Shiv Sena (UBT) is also said to be planning an announcement regarding Aditya on June 19, the 60th foundation day of the undivided party.

By Tuesday night, the drama had turned more intense. Sanjay Raut alleged that Rs 15 crore each was being offered to MPs as an advance and claimed chartered flights had been kept ready at multiple locations, including Nanded and Pune, to ferry them to Delhi. Raut mocked the operation on social media, asking, "Why are you calling the escape of timid wolves 'Operation Tiger'?" He also argued that it was the Thackeray name that had given many leaders their political stature.

On Wednesday morning, Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary leader Arvind Sawant submitted a letter to Om Birla urging him not to grant any separate identity, status, or recognition to any splinter faction or rebel group claiming affiliation with the party. Sources said the rebel MPs were expected to meet Shrikant Shinde , son of Eknath Shinde, at his Delhi residence before approaching the Speaker.

The party has also issued a formal whip directing all its MPs to attend a parliamentary meeting in New Delhi. Sources indicated that disqualification proceedings could be initiated against those who ignore the directive, echoing the strategy adopted during the 2022 rebellion that brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government .

Raut has continued to publicly insist that all MPs remain loyal to Uddhav Thackeray and has dismissed reports of defections as politically motivated speculation. Yet the optics tell a different story: allegations of money changing hands, reports of chartered aircraft being arranged, and growing signs of unrest within the parliamentary wing have intensified uncertainty around the party.

For Uddhav Thackeray , whose political identity is deeply tied to the legacy built by Bal Thackeray , the timing could hardly be more painful. If the reported rebellion materialises, it would mark another major setback for a party still recovering from the split that reshaped Maharashtra politics in 2022.