Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena launches Operation Tiger ahead of MLC polls

Mumbai: Close on the heels of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s visit to New Delhi, the Shiv Sena seems to be launching Operation Tiger in the run up to the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, when former Chief Minister and now Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray will seek a second term.

During his two-day visit to the national capital, Shinde called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister and BJP stalwart Amit Shah and also had a closed-door meeting with Shiv Sena MPs.

This comes at time when cracks have emerged in the ranks and files of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-headed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — part of the larger INDIA bloc.

The tenure of Thackeray, who became an MLC when he was the Chief Minister, will end on 3 May 2026.

The electoral college for Maharashtra Legislative Council is the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

The Maharashtra Legislative Council elections are expected to be held after the Legislative Assembly elections in four states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala and the union territory of Puducherry.

Given the arithmetic in Maharashtra, the MVA could win only one Legislative Council seat of the nine that would go for polls.

In the biennial elections to Rajya Sabha for seven seats from Maharashtra, the MVA had nominated NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar even though the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) has sought a berth.

While the Shiv Sena (UBT) is keen to renominate Thackeray, there are fears of cross-voting.

“I can’t say about Thackeray or Shiv Sena (UBT) but surely some Congress MLAs are in touch with us… there is nothing to hide,” said Shiv Sena leader and state Industries Minister Uday Samant.

However, he went on to add that Shinde’s visit was in view of the Budget session in Parliament and meet the party MPs.

“Shinde Saheb does not need an Operation Tiger…he has proven himself…people come and associate with him,” said Samant.

On the other hand, Thackeray aide and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the Shiv Sena of Eknath Shinde is an extension of BJP.

In the Legislative Assembly, the current strength of which is 286, the Maha Yuti’s strength is BJP 131 MLAs, Shiv Sena (57) and the NCP 40 (after Ajit Pawar’s death) plus support of JSS (2), RSPS (1), RSPA (1), RSYP (1) and Independent 1.

On the other hand, the MVA and the full opposition strength include Shiv Sena (UBT) 20, Congress 16, NCP (SP) 10, CPI (M) 1, PWP (1), SP (2) and AIMIM (1).

The by-elections to Baramati (Pune) and Rahuri (Ahilyanagar) will be held on 23 April. From Baramati, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Sunetra Pawar is expected to be elected unopposed.