Union Home Minister Amit Shah intensified Maharashtra’s political battle on Saturday by declaring that there is now “only one Shiv Sena,” a remark widely seen as a major endorsement of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s leadership and a fresh setback for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT).
Speaking at a public gathering in Kolhapur, Shah said the days of referring to Shinde’s group as a faction were over.
Amit Shah Backs Eknath Shinde
Addressing party workers and supporters, Shah stated that Eknath Shinde’s camp had evolved beyond being called a separate faction.
“Earlier people used to say Shiv Sena-Shinde faction. Now no faction remains. There is only one Shiv Sena,” Shah said.
The statement comes at a crucial time as political realignments continue to reshape Maharashtra’s opposition landscape.
Fresh Trouble for Uddhav Thackeray Camp
The development follows reports that six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs belonging to Shiv Sena (UBT) have sought recognition as a separate group in Parliament.
The MPs reportedly submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and are expected to formally align with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the coming days.
If completed, the move would significantly weaken Uddhav Thackeray’s parliamentary strength while boosting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.
BJP Denies Role in Defections
While opposition leaders have accused the BJP of orchestrating the political shift, the ruling party has denied involvement.
Senior BJP leaders insist the defections are a result of internal dissatisfaction within the Uddhav Thackeray camp rather than any external pressure.
However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders continue to allege that the BJP is working behind the scenes to expand the NDA’s numbers in Parliament.
‘Operation Tiger’ Returns to Spotlight
The latest developments have revived discussion around what political observers describe as “Operation Tiger” — the strategy allegedly aimed at bringing leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray camp into Shinde’s fold.
According to reports, efforts to expand the Shinde-led Shiv Sena gained momentum after the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections and have accelerated in recent months.
Opposition leaders claim the objective is to strengthen support for key legislation in Parliament, including future constitutional and electoral reforms.
A Political Split Years in the Making
The Shiv Sena split began in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, eventually forming a government with BJP support.
In 2023, the Election Commission recognised the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and granted it the party’s iconic bow-and-arrow symbol.
Uddhav Thackeray’s faction was subsequently renamed Shiv Sena (UBT) and assigned a new election symbol.
Since then, both camps have claimed to represent the political and ideological legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
Battle for Bal Thackeray’s Legacy Continues
Amit Shah’s latest remarks reinforce the BJP’s long-standing position that Eknath Shinde represents the authentic continuation of Bal Thackeray’s vision.
For the Uddhav Thackeray camp, however, the battle is far from over. Party leaders continue to challenge the legitimacy of the defections and accuse political opponents of undermining democratic institutions.
As Maharashtra heads toward another phase of political realignment, the struggle over the Shiv Sena’s identity, leadership and legacy remains one of the most closely watched stories in Indian politics.
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