Fresh political sparring has erupted in Maharashtra politics after reports claimed that seven MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) were allegedly in contact with the Eknath Shinde-led faction, fuelling rumours of yet another split in the Uddhav Thackeray faction.
The Sena (UBT), however, has dismissed the reports, with party leader Anand Dubey saying, “We think we shouldn’t give too much importance to this matter.” He added that similar claims of defections had previously surfaced in 2024 under “Operation Tiger” and “Operation Lotus”, referring to alleged attempts by the BJP or the Shinde Sena to poach legislators.
“Those who were going have gone, those who stayed have stayed with us. If there is any truth to this talk of seven MPs, then let time reveal it,” he said, suggesting the reports could be speculative. Dubey also alleged that the BJP’s political focus is currently elsewhere, particularly on West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The BJP, however, used the opportunity to mount a sharp counterattack. Party leader Ram Kadam said the situation reflects deeper ideological instability within the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp, led by Uddhav Thackeray. He said, “The way Mamata Banerjee changed her ideology and the same effect came upon Uddhav Thackeray… the damage of changing ideology, Uddhav Thackeray has already suffered and will suffer in the coming future as well.” He further claimed that internal dissatisfaction within UBT could grow, adding that “all their leaders will leave them, that is certain.”
The exchange comes against the backdrop of the 2022 split in Shiv Sena, when Eknath Shinde broke away from Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, leading to a dramatic political realignment in Maharashtra and the formation of two rival Sena factions.
Since then, both camps have frequently engaged in claims of defections and counterclaims of stability, keeping speculation alive around further fragmentation within the UBT bloc.