Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has called an urgent meeting of all his party's Members of Parliament on 14 June at his Mumbai residence, 'Matoshree', amid swirling speculation about potential defections under what political circles are calling 'Operation Tiger'. The move comes as Maharashtra's political atmosphere grows increasingly charged following turbulence in West Bengal.

What Triggered the Emergency Huddle

The meeting was convened at short notice, signalling Thackeray's intent to take direct stock of his parliamentary contingent's loyalties. Political observers describe it as a consolidation exercise — a deliberate show of internal discipline at a moment when the party's cohesion is under scrutiny.

Notably, all eyes will be on Parbhani MP Sanjay alias Bandu Jadhav, whose repeated absences from recent party gatherings have stoked speculation about his political trajectory. Reports suggest Jadhav has been in contact with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, though no formal confirmation has been issued by either side.

The Meetings That Raised Eyebrows

Several Thackeray-faction MPs have recently held meetings with Shinde camp leaders, fuelling the defection narrative. Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar visited Chief Minister Shinde at his official residence. Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje met MP Shrikant Shinde. Shirdi MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure held discussions with State Industries Minister Uday Samant.

The MPs involved have described these as routine meetings centred on regional development projects and constituency funding. However, political observers argue that the timing and pattern of these interactions point to broader political calculations being weighed behind the scenes.

The West Bengal Effect on Maharashtra Politics

The political churn in West Bengal has had a ripple effect on Maharashtra's opposition landscape. Reports of political turmoil there have prompted fresh discussions about whether similar realignments could unfold in Maharashtra — a state that witnessed a dramatic split within Shiv Sena in 2022, when Shinde broke away with a majority of MLAs and subsequently formed the government.

Leaders from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena have repeatedly suggested that several MPs aligned with Thackeray are weighing a change in political allegiance, though no formal crossover has been confirmed.

Congress Hits Out at BJP

Amid these developments, the opposition has sharpened its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government. The Indian National Congress (Congress) launched a pointed assault on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of employing aggressive tactics to consolidate a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha ahead of the upcoming Parliament Monsoon Session.

Congress leaders alleged that the BJP is systematically engineering splits within opposition parties and undermining democratic norms — charges the ruling alliance has not formally addressed. Critics argue that such accusations, while politically pointed, are difficult to substantiate without direct evidence.

What Happens Next

The 14 June meeting at Matoshree will be closely watched as a barometer of Thackeray's grip over his parliamentary group. Whether all MPs attend — and crucially, whether Bandu Jadhav shows up — will be read as a signal of the faction's internal stability ahead of the Monsoon Session.