Ananya Lohia , Mumbai - Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is battling a fresh political challenge amid reports that six party MPs may switch allegiance to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde. The developments come just days before the Shiv Sena marks its 60th anniversary, raising concerns over the future of the party founded by Bal Thackeray.

After initially expressing frustration and stating that those wishing to leave the party were free to do so, Thackeray shifted focus to damage control on Wednesday. Senior party leaders met at Matoshree to chalk out a strategy, while Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut travelled to New Delhi to explore legal options to counter any possible defections. MPs Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant were also in the national capital consulting legal experts and examining parliamentary rules in an effort to prevent the proposed move, reportedly dubbed "Operation Tiger." However, one of the six MPs, Sanjay Dina Patil, has indicated that he is unlikely to join the Shinde camp.

Party leaders argued that their legal position would have been stronger had the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the Sena (UBT)'s challenge to the Election Commission's decision granting the Shiv Sena name and the 'bow and arrow' symbol to the Shinde faction. Meanwhile, several party workers and leaders accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through defections, with grassroots workers calling on Thackeray to take a more aggressive political stand. Sena (UBT) leaders believe any further attempts to engineer defections could generate public sympathy for the party, particularly in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

With speculation over defections continuing, Thackeray is expected to outline his future roadmap during the party's 60th anniversary celebrations in Mumbai next week. He is also likely to hold discussions with Sena (UBT) MLAs ahead of the upcoming monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature.