‘Operation Tiger 3.0 Soon’: After 6 MPs, Will 14 Uddhav Thackeray’s MLAs Switch To Eknath Shinde’s Sena?

News india ‘Operation Tiger 3.0 Soon’: After 6 MPs, Will 14 Uddhav Thackeray’s MLAs Switch To Eknath Shinde’s Sena?Last Updated:September 04, 2026, 13:45 ISTEknath Shinde’s Operation Tiger 3.0 Buzz: Rumours intensified following reports that 14 UBT MLAs allegedly met Shinde at an undisclosed locationRapid ReadRapid ReadSummarized by AI.+14 UBT MLAs may join Shinde camp."Operation Tiger 3.0" targets UBT MLAs.UBT dismisses defection rumors.Got Question about the News?Lok Sabha Speaker Clears Merger of 6 UBT Rebel MPs With Shinde's Shiv Sena.Maharashtra’s political circles are buzzing with speculation of ‘Operation Tiger 3.0’, with rumours suggesting that 14 of the 20 MLAs from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) faction are preparing to defect and join deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s party.What is Operation Tiger? What is the buzz? News18 explains.Recommended StoriesMaharashtra Auto-Taxi Drivers To Get Retirement Aid, Insurance, Scholarships: Eknath Shinde Announces Welfare PackagePune PM Modi Photo Row Triggers BJP Vs MNS In Kalyan-Dombivli: Will Raj Thackeray Lose Saffron Support In KDMC?‘Those Who Attack Doctors Don’t Deserve Bail’: SC Raps Corporator Over Assault On Female PhysiciansOpinion | Modi's 'Make In India' Vs Rahul's 'Fake In India'OPERATION TIGEROperation Tiger 1.0 (2022): Eknath Shinde led a massive rebellion that split the undivided Shiv Sena, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.Operation Tiger 2.0 (June 2026): Six Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) from the UBT faction officially defected to Shinde’s camp.Operation Tiger 3.0: This is the rumored third phase aimed at the legislative assembly. Shinde’s camp needs exactly 14 MLAs to clear the two-thirds threshold required to split the legislative party without triggering disqualification under the anti-defection law.WHAT TRIGGERED THE BUZZ?Shiv Sena Minister Gulabrao Patil and other leaders sparked the conversation by claiming that ‘Operation Tiger 3.0’ has begun. Patil publicly stated, “Wait for some time, more than 14 MLAs will come to Shinde… When Eknath Shinde moves his hands on his beard, then Operation Tiger is a success."Rumours intensified following reports that 14 UBT MLAs allegedly met Shinde at an undisclosed location. This coincided with an MVA opposition meeting where only 37 out of 60 allied legislators showed up, fueling rumors of internal instability.The latest reports from Shinde faction insiders claim that these 14 MLAs are targeted to officially jump ship before the upcoming Navratri festival.WHAT SHINDE SENA LEADERS SAYUday Samant, Maharashtra’s Industries Minister and a key leader in the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, noted that a political operation of this magnitude cannot be predicted or spoken about openly. He stated, “Operation Tiger does not happen by talking about it. You are fully aware of this… The day it happens, it will be a very big piece of breaking news for everyone."He maintained that people from all tiers of politics are ready to accept Eknath Shinde’s leadership. He claimed that an influx of leaders, ranging from Gram Panchayat members and housing society chairmen to major, high-level public representatives, are eager to jump ship. “There is no need to engage in the politics of splitting parties (Foda-fodi). People are coming over on their own accord," he said.RESPONSE FROM SHIV SENA (UBT)The Uddhav Thackeray faction has vehemently dismissed the reports as baseless rumors and psychological warfare. UBT MLA Kailash Patil asserted that not a single MLA will leave the party.The UBT leadership claims that the Shinde faction is intentionally fabricating these split rumors to divert public attention from ongoing state issues, such as the tense Maratha reservation and OBC protests.News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismQuick AnswersPowered byAsk News18It is not confirmed whether more UBT MLAs will join Eknath Shinde's faction. Rumours and claims suggest that 14 of the 20 UBT MLAs are preparing to defect under "Operation Tiger 3.0", and reports indicate they allegedly met with Shinde at an undisclosed location. However, the Uddhav Thackeray faction has strongly dismissed these reports as baseless rumours and psychological warfare, asserting that not a single MLA will leave the party.Powered byAsk News18About the AuthorManjiri JoshiAt the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read MoreLocation : First Published:September 02, 2026, 12:17 ISTDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Loading comments...Read More