On June 22, 2026, six rebel Lok Sabha MPs from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) officially joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The induction took place at a press conference in New Delhi, where Shinde welcomed them into the party fold.
The move formalizes a split within the Shiv Sena (UBT) that had been anticipated for weeks. The six MPs had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Thackeray's leadership, citing differences over party direction and alliance strategies.
Shinde, who led a rebellion against Thackeray in 2022 and formed his own faction, described the development as 'Operation Tiger a success.' He emphasized that the new members would strengthen the party's position in the Lok Sabha.
The induction is seen as a significant boost for Shinde's faction ahead of upcoming elections, while weakening Thackeray's hold on the party's parliamentary representation. The names of the six MPs were not immediately disclosed in the press conference.
