<p>The Eknath Shinde-led <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/shiv-sena-factions-mark-foundation-day-amid-operation-tiger-buzz-in-maharashtra-23635885" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Shiv Sena</a> has dismissed reports claiming that six Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) were set to join the party during its Foundation Day event at NESCO on Friday.</p>
<p>Sources in the Shiv Sena told ANI that no such induction programme was planned and rejected speculation that the MPs would formally enter the party during the celebrations.</p>
<p>The denial comes amid intense political speculation surrounding the alleged "Operation Tiger" and reports of a possible split within the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s parliamentary wing.</p>
<h2>Shinde-led Sena rejects induction reports</h2>
<p>According to sources, the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has clarified that no MPs from the rival faction would be joining the party during Friday's Foundation Day programme.</p>
<p>The clarification follows widespread reports suggesting that a group of Sena (UBT) MPs could formally switch sides during the event.</p>
<p>Sources said no such development was on the agenda for the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-police-issue-security-guidelines-for-shiv-sena-programmes-on-june-18-and-19-23635801" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Foundation Day celebrations</a>.</p>
<p>The denial is significant because it comes amid claims by leaders from the ruling Shiv Sena that several MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray camp have expressed support for Shinde's leadership.</p>
<h2>Sena (UBT) also dismisses speculation</h2>
<p>The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) also strongly rejected reports that its MPs were preparing to join the rival camp.</p>
<p>Party leaders have repeatedly maintained that reports of a mass defection are being exaggerated and politically motivated.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/politics-news/article/maharashtra-politics-shiv-sena-ubt-rebel-mps-paid-rs-10-crore-shifted-to-rajasthan-claims-raut-23635754" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Sena (UBT) leadership</a> has, however, acknowledged concerns about internal dissent and has initiated disciplinary proceedings against MPs who skipped a key parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi.</p>
<p>The developments have intensified the political battle between the two factions ahead of their separate Foundation Day celebrations.</p>
<h2>Six MPs absent from parliamentary meeting</h2>
<p>The controversy gained momentum after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting held in New Delhi.</p>
<p>Only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting convened by the party leadership.</p>
<p>The absent MPs were identified as Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.</p>
<p>Their absence fuelled speculation that a section of the parliamentary party could be preparing to break away from the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/shiv-sena-ubt-issues-show-cause-notices-to-6-mps-absent-from-delhi-meeting-23635733" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Uddhav Thackeray-led faction</a>.</p>
<h2>Raut initiates action against absentees</h2>
<p>Following the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut announced that show-cause notices had been issued to the six MPs.</p>
<p>"The process for taking action has started," Raut said while addressing a press conference.</p>
<p>"We will make every effort to get them disqualified. If the Speaker of the Lok Sabha works according to the rules, the law, and the Supreme Court's directives, these people will be disqualified," he added.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/shiv-sena-ubt-crisis-shiv-sena-ubt-rebel-mps-head-towards-legal-showdown-over-party-whip-say-sources-23635742" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">The party</a> has argued that skipping the meeting amounted to a violation of the whip issued to all MPs.</p>
<p>The notices seek explanations from the absent lawmakers regarding their failure to attend despite receiving formal communication from the party.</p>
<h2>'Operation Tiger' remains at centre of political debate</h2>
<p>Maharashtra politics has been dominated in recent days by discussions around the alleged "Operation Tiger."</p>
<p>The term has been used to describe reports that several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are in touch with leaders from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and may be considering a shift to the ruling camp.</p>
<p>The speculation intensified after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction had already expressed confidence in Shinde and joined his group.</p>
<p>However, those claims have not been officially confirmed by the MPs concerned.</p>
<h2>Foundation Day celebrations held amid uncertainty</h2>
<p>June 19 holds particular significance as both the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/shiv-sena-leader-claims-six-sena-ubt-mps-have-joined-eknath-shinde-camp-23635705" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena</a> and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) are marking the party's Foundation Day separately.</p>
<p>The celebrations are taking place against the backdrop of renewed political tensions, competing claims over the party's legacy and continuing uncertainty over the future of the Sena (UBT)'s parliamentary unit.</p>
<p>While both factions continue to trade claims and counterclaims, attention remains focused on the six absent MPs and whether the ongoing speculation eventually translates into a formal split within the party.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from ANI)</strong></p>

The Shiv Sena denied reports that six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs would join the party at its Foundation Day event, amid ongoing split speculation

Shiv Sena denies reports of six UBT MPs joining party at Foundation Day event

Mumbai lake levels stand at 9.34 per cent as monsoon delay keeps water stock under pressure

The denial comes amid intense political speculation surrounding the alleged "Operation Tiger" and reports of a possible split within the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s parliamentary wing

Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena dismisses claims of six UBT MPs joining party at Foundation Day event

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