Shinde's Shiv Sena Gains Clout at the Centre; Party Rises to Second Spot with 6 New MPs
Shinde's Shiv Sena Gains Clout at the Centre; Party Rises to Second Spot with 6 New MPs—Which MP is Being Tipped for a Union Ministerial Post?
Mumbai/New Delhi, June 23, 2026: There is a strong possibility that the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will secure two additional ministerial berths at the Centre. Following the successful execution of 'Operation Tiger,' six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction joined the Shinde faction, boosting the party's Lok Sabha strength from 7 to 13 MPs. This has significantly enhanced the party's bargaining power at the Centre, sparking speculation in political circles that the Shiv Sena will receive greater representation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated cabinet expansion.
State Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the success of 'Operation Tiger.' Six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction—including Sanjay Dinda Patil, Sanjay Jadhav, Naresh Patil Ashtekar, and Omraje Nimbalkar—joined the Shinde faction. These MPs cited a lack of development funds and the opposition's stance as reasons for leaving the party. Shinde described the move as being "inspired by the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray."
Party's New Strength:
With the induction of these six MPs, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena will now hold a strong position within the NDA, boasting 13 MPs in the Lok Sabha. This elevates the party to the number two position. Political analysts suggest that this could secure the Shiv Sena two additional ministerial posts—beyond their current ones—in the upcoming cabinet expansion. The party, under Eknath Shinde's leadership, is actively striving to increase its political weight at the Centre.
Political Impact:
These developments have dealt a major blow to the Uddhav Thackeray faction. This marks the second major instance of a split following the initial division in 2022. Shinde has also clarified that 'Operation Tiger' will continue for 365 days. This has once again created a stir in Maharashtra's political landscape. It is believed that this development will boost the NDA's parliamentary strength and further consolidate the ruling party's position in Maharashtra.
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