Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is in New Delhi, along with his son and parliamentarian Shrikant Shinde, party sources told The Hindu on Wednesday (June 17, 2026). This comes as speculations intensified over six MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) likely to quit the party and join Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

“Most of the MPs of Shiv Sena UBT are in Delhi too. The MPs will give a letter to the Speaker to form a separate group in the parliament. If seven MPs leave Uddhav Thackeray, then they will merge with the Shiv Sena, as they will form the two-third majority of the party,” a senior leader told The Hindu.

Sources close to Mr. Shinde said that the breakaway MPs had submitted a letter to the Speaker’s office late Tuesday (June 16, 2026). However, this information could not be confirmed independently.

Further, Rajabhau Waje, a Lok Sabha member from Nashik, was speculated to be the seventh MP. But told reporters on Wednesday morning (June 17, 2026) that he stood firmly with Uddhav Thackeray.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT reacted sharply to the developments. “We don’t call it Operation Tiger. We call it ‘Operation Betrayal’. These MPs have been elected on the party’s symbol, on the face of Uddhav Thackeray. If they have the courage, they should resign and contest the election from Eknath Shinde’s party,” said party spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Shiv Sena leaders in Maharashtra said they were not aware of the developments. They said they have been hearing of Operation Tiger from the media.

Maharashtra minister Uday Samant claimed that the leaders of Shiv Sena UBT were upset due to the alleged neglect by the top leadership. “It cannot be called a rebellion. If top leaders are not approachable, the elected leaders feel neglected, it is likely that it can be a reason for taking such a step,” he said.

For a party meeting called on June 14, only three of the nine MPs were present at Matoshree in Mumbai.

Sanjay Raut said that the absent MPs joined online and gave personal reasons for their absence. They also allegedly swore by the gods to pledge their support to Mr. Thackeray.