Last Updated:June 20, 2026, 11:08 IST
The development comes as Shiv Sena’s Uddhav faction faces the biggest rebellion since the 2022 split after six of its Lok Sabha MPs reportedly aligned with the Shinde faction
Maharashtra Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde | File image: PTI
Amid the buzz over ‘Operation Tiger’, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde seemed to take a dig at the Shiv Sena-UBT faction, saying “a wolf wearing a tiger’s skin does not become a tiger.”
The development comes as Shiv Sena’s Uddhav faction faces the biggest rebellion since the 2022 split after six of its Lok Sabha MPs reportedly aligned with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
“A wolf wearing a tiger’s skin does not become a tiger. Four years ago, these same wolves had threatened me saying, ‘You’ll have to come to Mumbai,’ ‘You’ll have to pass through Worli.’ Does anyone own Mumbai?” Shinde said at an event in Mumbai.
Mumbai | Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde says, “A wolf wearing a tiger’s skin does not become a tiger. Four years ago, these same wolves had threatened me saying, ‘You’ll have to come to Mumbai,’ ‘You’ll have to pass through Worli.’ Does anyone own Mumbai?” (19.06) pic.twitter.com/0JKk623KOX— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2026
Sources told CNN-News18 that the Shiv Sena chief will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Saturday to discuss ‘Operation Tiger’, a term being used to imply a mass defection within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
He will also discuss the demands made by the MPs, sources said, adding it is still unclear what the rebels have demanded.
3 Rebels Seen With Shiv Sena Leader
In an exclusive photo accessed by CNN-News18, three rebel MPs –– Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Dina Patil and Sanjay Deshmukh –– were seen with Abhishek Verma in a five-star hotel in Delhi.
Amid the buzz over ‘Operation Tiger’, three rebel MPs of the Shiv Sena-UBT were seen with Shiv Sena national coordinator Abhishek Verma at a five-star hotel in Delhi | Photo: CNN-News18
The rebel MPs –– who arrived in Delhi on Saturday –– are likely staying at an undisclosed location. A formal announcement will be made after the Lok Sabha Secretariat issues a bulletin on the matter, after which the MPs will address the media.
According to sources, the rebels are expected to join the Shiv Sena on Sunday, June 21.
How The Split Unfolded
Speculation about a possible mass defection in Shiv Sena-UBT, dubbed ‘Operation Tiger’, arose after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six MPs from the party had expressed confidence in Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and had already aligned with his faction.
However, the talks further gained momentum after after the six rebel MPs –– Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure –– skipped a key parliamentary party meeting convened by the leadership on Thursday in New Delhi despite a whip.
Out of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs, only three –– Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje –– attended the meeting.
The fresh crisis in the Shiv Sena-UBT has evoked the 2022 split, when Eknath Shinde rebelled against then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray along with a majority of Shiv Sena MLAs, subsequently leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
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News india Amid ‘Operation Tiger’ Buzz, Eknath Shinde Says ‘A Wolf Wearing Tiger’s Skin Isn’t A Tiger’Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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