So looks like political drama in Maharashtra is not stopping anytime soon . Now Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing another big threat of rebellion from inside only .
Sanjay Raut and Arvind Sawant held one press conference in New Delhi on June 18,2026,and things they said are very serious . party high command has basically issued final warning: action will be taken against any MPs who defy the party whip.
And this is all because of rumors about defections to the Shinde-led faction . The situation is so tense,they are calling it "Operation Tiger" . Apparently six MPs might be thinking of switching sides. Not small thing ah.
Sanjay Raut even said a "lesson needs to be taught" to anyone even considering leaving . And he made one huge allegation,that Maharashtra's MPs were being offered up to ₹50 crore to switch .
If that is true,then this is not just politics,it's something else entirely .
The party is clearly panicking . They have called for an emergency parliamentary meeting and issued mandatory three-line whip to all their MPs . They are not taking any chances. Raut said the whip was sent to MPs' homes,and also by email and WhatsApp .
Few things standing out clearly in this case:
- Party has issued a strict whip and warned of serious consequences for defiance .
- "Operation Tiger" is the name for the fear that six MPs might defect.
- Raut has alleged that MPs are being offered up to ₹50 crore to leave party .
And tbh,this whole situation feels like constant battle for survival for them . They are trying everything to keep their flock together .
Arvind Sawant also mentioned that party leadership,including Uddhav Thackeray,is working on this full time . They are even working with Sharad Pawar of NCP (SP) to show a united front against this. Sawant even brought up how late Bal Thackeray had suggested harsh measures for MPs who switch sides.
So they are pulling out all the stops,even invoking the party founder's name . You can just feel pressure building up.
But with so much money and power allegedly involved,you have to wonder if party whip and old warnings are really enough to stop people who have already made up their mind…
