Nearly four years after a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena and unseated then-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing fresh signs of instability as at least three of its MPs have held so-called “courtesy” meetings with leaders of other parties, fuelling fears of another exodus. The unease intensified after Sanjay Jadhav, a three-term Lok Sabha MP and a key face for the party in Marathwada, skipped a crucial meeting at Matoshree — Thackeray’s residence in Mumbai — and also missed a subsequent office-bearers’ meeting at Sena Bhavan. Party sources said he had been unreachable following his absences.
Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve sought to play down alarm, telling NDTV: “I spoke to him yesterday; he is busy with a family function.” Danve added that the gathering was part of a routine district review and that other office-bearers were present, saying “the party is intact.”
The Jadhav episode is not isolated. Over recent months, murmurs of discontent have grown among several UBT MPs, who sources say are unhappy with the party’s functioning style and perceived lack of leadership outreach. Apart from a few leaders such as Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, a section of MPs is believed to be quietly exploring alternatives.
Earlier this month, MPs Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal–Washim) attended a dinner hosted by Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav in New Delhi. Reports also said Sanjay Jadhav met BJP leader Amit Shah in the capital, prompting speculation of political negotiations. Those involved have described the interactions as non-political, but the meetings revived talk of a possible defection attempt — colloquially referred to in political circles as “Operation Tiger,” a label loosely linked to efforts associated with the Shinde camp.
Leaders from Eknath Shinde’s faction have publicly dismissed claims that UBT MPs are in touch with them, calling such reports baseless. At the same time, there is unconfirmed buzz from Delhi that some MPs may have been approached directly by BJP leaders rather than through the Shinde camp; no official confirmation has emerged.
Sources who followed recent gatherings of MPs in Delhi say the deeper issue is an alleged communication gap between UBT’s top leadership and its parliamentary wing. Several MPs have complained of limited engagement from party leadership during hinterland election campaigns — a shortfall they blame for poor local body poll showings — and many who previously denied any intention to defect have since adopted a guarded silence or become difficult to reach. The developments add uncertainty to the party’s immediate political future and raise fresh questions about its cohesion ahead of coming electoral battles.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/all-not-well-in-uddhav-sena-mps-courtesy-meetings-spark-exodus-buzz-11409388#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-04-26 00:46:00
