‘Operation Tiger’: Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs skip parliamentary body meeting

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Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Sanjay Raut and Arvind Sawant during a press conference, in New Delhi, on June 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

As speculation of a rebellion in Shiv Sena (UBT) intensifies, six of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs skipped the parliamentary meeting in New Delhi on Thursday (June 18, 2026). Only four MPs were present — Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje, and the party’s lone Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut.

The six MPs in question who skipped the meeting amid ‘Operation Tiger’ buzz are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.

“We had issued a whip to them. They will be issued a show cause notice. Action will be taken as per party discipline,” Anil Desai said.

‘Operation Tiger’ is an informal term referring to the speculations over six MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) likely to quit the party and join Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Mr. Raut had alleged that Maharashtra’s MPs are being bought for ₹50 crore and that they sat in a plane only after they received ₹15 crore.

Ahead of the crucial meeting, party leader Arvind Sawant said action will be taken against those who violate the whip. Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said a "lesson needs to be taught" to the rebels.

In a swift counter-offensive to contain the damage, the party high command issued a mandatory three-line whip, summoning an emergency parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Thursday (June 18) to force a showdown where the MPs will have to mark their presence physically.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Mr. Raut said the whip was issued because there was a need to discuss important issues. The whip has reached all MPs. It has been sent to their homes, emailed, and also sent on WhatsApp, he added.

"Action will be taken against those who violate the whip, after consulting the party chief (Uddhav Thackeray)," Mr. Sawant said.

Mr. Raut said Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar called him, during which it was discussed