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It was preserved as a record on September 12; the timeline below shows how it unfolded, with sources. Get the briefing to follow the top situations still developing: three emails a week, sourced and in order.

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53 clusters · 86 sources · 60 days · First seen · Last updated

Shiv Sena split finalized; Supreme Court hears merger case

Overview

The parliamentary split within Shiv Sena has evolved from rumors of an orchestrated defection campaign, dubbed ‘Operation Tiger’, into a formal realignment. In mid-June 2026, speculation intensified as six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) faction reportedly prepared to join the Eknath Shinde-led group. Despite initial denials of loyalty from UBT leadership, the six MPs—Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, and Sanjay Dina Patil—formally sought recognition as a separate group and subsequently merged with the Shinde faction.

On 18 July, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla officially approved the merger, increasing the Shinde group’s strength to 13 and leaving the Uddhav camp with three seats. This move satisfied the two-thirds threshold required under the anti-defection law. The UBT faction has challenged this decision in the Supreme Court, arguing that the merger violates constitutional provisions. In August, the Supreme Court began examining whether a legislative split constitutes a split in the entire political organization.

Parallel to the leadership struggle, a major controversy erupted over alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and Siddhivinayak temples. Uddhav Thackeray launched the ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’ to protest the alleged theft of temple funds, accusing the BJP of using the money to engineer political splits. This has led to widespread protests by the UBT faction and the Congress party, further deepening the political fissure in Maharashtra.

Entities

Pramod Tiwari · Sada Sarvankar · Siddhivinayak Temple · Amit Shah · Eknath Shinde

Timeline

  1. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Supreme Court examines Shiv Sena split and legislative rebellion

    The Supreme Court of India is reviewing whether the 2022 rebellion by Shiv Sena MLAs constitutes a formal split of the entire political party and its primary membership.

  2. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    India Opposition Protests Alleged Temple Donation Theft and Police Crackdown

    Raj Thackeray alleges massive donation thefts at Siddhivinayak Temple (₹18 cr) and Ram Mandir (₹1,400 cr). Opposition MPs protest in Parliament, demanding Home Minister Amit Shah’s response; BJP denies the BJP‑

  3. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 5 sources
    Supreme Court to Hear Shiv Sena (UBT) Challenge on Six MPs' Merger with Shinde

    India's Supreme Court will hear Shiv Sena (UBT)'s petition challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's recognition of six MPs merging with Eknath Shinde's faction, citing constitutional anti‑defection concerns.

  4. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde attacks Uddhav Thackeray’s ‘Ram Raksha’ campaign

    Deputy CM Eknath Shinde denounced Uddhav Thackeray’s “Ram Raksha” campaign, saying Hindutva isn’t a T‑shirt and accusing the movement of political opportunism.

  5. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Shiv Sena leaders warn opposition and set agenda for India's monsoon parliamentary session

    Shiv Sena’s Manisha Kayande and Anand Dubey warned the opposition and urged the monsoon session to focus on NEET leak, inflation, corruption, Ram‑temple probe and a Uniform Civil Code.

  6. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 21 sources
    Lok Sabha Speaker clears merger of six Uddhav‑led Shiv Sena MPs into Shinde faction

    Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Uddhav‑led Shiv Sena MPs into Eknath Shinde’s faction, raising its Lok Sabha strength to 13, and granted separate seating to 20 rebel TMC MPs ahead of the Monsoon S​e

  7. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena (UBT) disputes rebel MPs' merger and condemns Mumbai municipal handling of tree collapse

    Shiv Sena (UBT) sent legal notices to six rebel MPs over an illegal merger and, in an editorial, slammed the BJP‑led alliance and Mumbai's municipal response to a fatal tree‑collapse incident.

  8. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra Deputy CM Ek Nath Shinde Announces More Moves in Operation Tiger

    Maharashtra deputy CM Ek Nath Shinde says Operation Tiger is unfinished, hinting at further political actions after securing a two‑thirds majority through defections.

  9. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Congress launches protests over alleged Ram temple offering theft

    Congress plans protests in Ayodhya and across Himachal Pradesh over alleged theft of Ram temple offerings, demanding investigation and accountability.

  10. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis dismisses centre‑move rumours

    Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis rejects rumours of a move to a central government role; opposition leaders speculate on his successor and future positions, while revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawanekar calls

  11. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Maharashtra leaders clash over alleged temple fund looting

    Maharashtra politicians accuse each other of covering up temple donation thefts, with Shiv Sena blaming BJP's UCC push and BJP deputy chief targeting Uddhav Thackeray over Siddhivinayak loot.

  12. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 8 sources
    Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena split and Siddhivinayak Temple loot claims

    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs defected to Eknath Shinde’s faction, meeting Speaker Om Birla in “Operation Tiger”. Shinde also accused Uddhav Thackeray of silence on Siddhivinayak Temple donation theft, sparking a r r

  13. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 8 sources
    Sharad Pawar’s meeting with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde sparks Maharashtra alliance row

    Sharad Pawar met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Maharashtra Assembly, prompting NCP’s Supriya Sule to call the row a ‘storm in a tea cup’ while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Sanjay Raut condemned the meet‑​

  14. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Maharashtra Congress launches statewide protest over Ram Temple donation scandal

    Maharashtra Congress will protest from July 7 at Nashik’s Kalaram Temple, accusing BJP and RSS of looting Ram Mandir donations, with a statewide satyagraha planned for July 9‑14.

  15. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena launches Ram Raksha protest demanding dissolution of Ayodhya Ram Temple trust

    Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena launched the Ram Raksha protest in Mumbai, accusing the BJP government of stealing Ayodhya Ram Temple donations and demanding the trust's dissolution.

  16. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 5 sources
    Maharashtra leaders Raj and Uddhav Thackeray denounce BJP over arrogance and alleged Ram Mandir fund misuse

    Raj Thackeray blasted BJP’s arrogance and urged action, while Uddhav Thackeray launched a Ram Mandir‑focused protest accusing the party of fund misuse in Maharashtra.

  17. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena leaders accuse BJP of looting Ram Temple donations, plan Mumbai protest

    Shiv Sena leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut claim BJP looted Ram Temple donations, announce protests in Mumbai and demand Supreme Court oversight.

  18. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena leaders threaten BJP and denounce India‑Pakistan open letter

    Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut warned that Modi and Shah are turning on each other and pledged to use agencies to break the BJP if it loses power, while spokesperson Krishna Heegde dismissed an India‑Pakistan ‑ s

  19. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Sachin Ahir Elected Deputy Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council

    Maharashtra MLC Sachin Ahir was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman after defecting from Shiv Sena (UBT) to Eknath Shinde’s faction, sparking criticism from former allies.

  20. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 5 sources
    Sachin Ahir joins Shinde’s Shiv Sena, runs for Maharashtra council deputy chair

    Maharashtra MLC Sachin Ahir left Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena to join Eknath Shinde’s faction and filed his nomination for Deputy Chair of the state Legislative Council, seen as a blow to the UBT camp.

  21. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Maharashtra feud deepens as six Shiv Sena MPs defect, Thackeray attacks BJP

    Six Shiv Sena MPs defect to Eknath Shinde’s faction, shrinking Uddhav Thackeray’s base. He blames the BJP for a covert “Operation Devendra,” while BJP leaders fire back, and Devendra Fadnavis denies being sidel

  22. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Uddhav Thackeray Tours Maharashtra, Calls for Disqualification of Defecting MPs

    Uddhav Thackeray toured Maharashtra districts, urged disqualification of six Shiv Sena MPs who joined Eknath Shinde’s faction, and accused the BJP of a political conspiracy.

  23. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray travel together on flight to Nagpur

    Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray shared a flight to Nagpur amid the “Operation Tiger” political crisis, fueling speculation about upcoming election dynamics.

  24. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde demands police action over Sanjay Raut's threats

    Krishna Hegde condemned Sanjay Raut’s aggressive remarks, urged Mumbai police action, and highlighted a ₹55 crore money‑laundering probe into Sanjeev Aroda while supporting nationwide UCC implementation.

  25. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Sanjay Raut draws sharp criticism from Shiv Sena amid political maneuvering

    Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut faces internal criticism for anti‑NDA posts and alleged false narratives on the Ram temple donation case, with party leaders warning he may shift to Eknath Shinde's camp.

  26. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Sanjay Raut claims Rs 2000 cr from Ram Mandir trust siphoned to split Shiv Sena and TMC

    Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut alleges ₹2,000 cr was stolen from the Ram Mandir trust and spent to buy MPs and split Shiv Sena and TMC.

  27. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 8 sources
    Six Shiv Sena MPs join Eknath Shinde faction, sparking political fallout in Maharashtra

    Six Shiv Sena UBT MPs defect to Eknath Shinde’s faction, prompting legal challenges, threat accusations against rebel MP Sanjay Patil, and a strong response from Maharashtra CM.

  28. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra: Six Uddhav Shiv Sena MPs Join Shinde Faction

    Six MPs who left Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena have joined Eknath Shinde’s faction, which Shinde called the final step of “Operation Tiger”; Shiv Sena (Uddhav) leader Ambadas Danve accused them of selling out.

  29. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena gains six MPs, weakening Uddhav Thackeray faction

    Six Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena MPs joined Eknath Shinde's faction on June 22, 2026, boosting his Lok Sabha strength to 13 and deepening Maharashtra's party split.

  30. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 14 sources
    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs defect to Eknath Shinde’s faction

    Six Uddhav‑led Shiv Sena MPs joined Eknath Shinde’s faction, boosting his tally to 13 MPs, while the Uddhav camp fell to three; the move, dubbed “Operation Tiger,” prompted criticism and fears of broader defe‑c

  31. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Secures Defection of Six UBT MPs in ‘Operation Tiger’

    Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde completed “Operation Tiger,” bringing six UBT MPs into his Shiv Sena faction, shifting Lok Sabha numbers and sparking criticism from Aditya Thackeray and other leaders.

  32. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Maharashtra CM Fadnavis unveils Rs 20,552 cr farm loan waiver amid Mahayuti political gains

    Maharashtra CM Fadnavis announced a Rs 20,552 cr farm loan waiver, presented a Rs 97,706 cr supplementary demand, and the Mahayuti alliance won 16 of 17 MLC seats; he also mocked opposition’s ChatGPT memo and t

  33. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra Shiv Sena split deepens as MP Omraje Nimbalkar joins Shinde faction

    MP Omraje Nimbalkar leaves Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena for Eknath Shinde’s faction, prompting Thackeray’s condemnation and raising anti‑defection concerns ahead of the Lok Sabha poll.

  34. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra Shiv Sena split as six MPs plan to quit UBT

    Six Shiv Sena UBT MPs in Maharashtra are set to hold a joint press conference in Mumbai, announcing their departure from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction and possibly aligning with Eknath Shinde’s camp.

  35. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Sanjay Raut alleges BJP‑backed political buying to split Shiv Sena

    Sanjay Raut claims BJP and Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde are using large‑scale political buying to prompt Shiv Sena MPs to defect, calling it a betrayal of voter mandate.

  36. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Uddhav Thackeray apologises to voters as Amit Shah denounces Shiv Sena split in Maharashtra

    Uddhav Thackeray apologised to voters and blamed BJP at a Maharashtra rally, while Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Shiv Sena split and launched a 1,500‑crore temple project in Kolhapur.

  37. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Amit Shah declares only Eknath Shinde‑led Shiv Sena exists, draws sharp Congress rebuttal

    Amit Shah says only Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena remains; Congress MP Tarik Anwar calls it a push for an opposition‑free India, while BJP’s Prem Shukla backs the claim and attacks Rahul Gandhi.

  38. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena officials condemn Sanjay Raut, Uddhav Thackeray and laud PM Modi

    BJP’s Nawanath Ban chastised Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray, while Shiv Sena’s Shayana NC defended Eknath Shinde, criticized Congress and praised PM Modi’s leadership.

  39. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 11 sources
    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs poised to defect to Eknath Shinde faction

    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs plan to join Eknath Shinde's faction, prompting show‑cause notices, Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation offer, and Amit Shah’s claim of a single Shiv Sena.

  40. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra Shiv Sena split sparks protests as six MPs consider joining Shinde faction

    Six Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MPs plan to join Eknath Shinde's faction, sparking Solapur protests; Shrikant Shinde says the issue will be clarified within two days.

  41. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde leads Shiv Sena anniversary, welcomes rebel MPs

    Eknath Shinde condemned Rahul Gandhi at Shiv Sena’s anniversary, praised Modi, and welcomed six rebel MPs on stage, pledging their integration amid heightened security.

  42. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra Shiv Sena (UBT) split as six MPs join Ek Nath Shinde faction in Operation Tiger

    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joined Ek Nath Shinde’s faction in a move called “Operation Tiger,” claiming the party had strayed from its roots, while leaders allege BJP backing for the split.

  43. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs skip meeting, party seeks disqualification of six rebels

    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs missed a party meeting, prompting threats of show‑cause notices and possible disqualification as they seek to join the Shinde faction.

  44. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 17 sources
    Shiv Sena (UBT) faces internal rebellion as six MPs defect, Uddhav Thackeray vows to quit

    Shiv Sena (UBT) crisis deepens: Uddhav Thackeray ready to quit, six MPs skip meeting, face 24‑hour show‑cause notices, and possible defection to Eknath Shinde’s faction.

  45. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Shiv Sena celebrates 60 years as party cracks down on six rebel MPs

    Shiv Sena marked its 60th anniversary while issuing show‑cause notices to six MPs accused of siding with the Shinde faction, threatening revocation of their memberships.

  46. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 11 sources
    Six Shiv Sena MPs Seek Separate Group Ahead of Defection to Shinde Faction

    Six Uddhav‑led Shiv Sena MPs missed a party meeting, sought separate status in Lok Sabha, and are moving to join Eknath Shinde’s faction, facing show‑cause notices and possible disqualification.

  47. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs meet in Delhi as split rumors swirl

    Shiv Sena (UBT) convened a Delhi meeting of its nine MPs; only four attended, sparking rumours that the other five may defect, prompting strong warnings from party leaders.

  48. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena (UBT) summons MPs to Delhi meeting amid internal party unrest

    Shiv Sena (UBT) called a mandatory MP meeting in Delhi on 18 June and a legislator meeting in Mumbai on 22 June, amid internal disputes; MP Arvind Sawant objected to recognizing dissenting members.

  49. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Maharashtra Shiv Sena UBT faces internal revolt as MPs allegedly offered bribes to switch parties

    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs in Maharashtra allegedly offered ₹15‑₹50 crore each to join the Eknath Shinde faction, prompting meetings with Lok Sabha speaker and internal accusations of illegal defection.

  50. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faces potential split as seven MPs contact Eknath Shinde faction

    Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena may split as seven MPs reportedly engage with Eknath Shinde's faction; Thackeray denies the rumors, saying all MPs stay united.

  51. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 16 sources
    Shiv Sena (UBT) faces defection crisis as MPs eye shift to Eknath Shinde faction

    Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs may defect to Eknath Shinde’s faction, alleging ₹15 crore bribes; party leaders meet Speaker Birla and deny the split.

  52. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Confirm Attendance, Reject Defection Rumors

    Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders confirmed all nine MPs attended a routine meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, either in person or via video, and rejected rumours of defections to the rival Shinde faction.

  53. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Shiv Sena Uddhav MP meets Union Minister Jadhav amid Operation Tiger speculation

    Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MP Sanjay Deshmukh met Union Minister Pratap Jadhav, fueling speculation that a “Operation Tiger” could shift MPs to the rival Shinde faction amid a party meeting at Uddhav Thackeray’s home.

Sources

aajsamaaj.com · acvila30.ro · assamtribune.com · barandbench.com · bhaskarhindi.com · bhaskarlive.in · bilkulonline.com · businessupturn.com · chinimandi.com · culturalpolicy.com · deccanchronicle.com · desitalkchicago.com · dinamikhaber.com · dnaindia.com · enavabharat.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · frontline.thehindu.com · gymnasticsassociation.org · hindi.latestly.com · hindi.news18.com · hindi.pardaphash.com · ibc24.in · ibtimes.co.in · indias.news · indtoday.com · industrywired.com · jantakiawaz.org · kalingatv.com · kannadaprabha.com · khabarindiatv.com · krajskarevolucia.eu · latestly.com · madhyamamonline.com · mangalorean.com · massive.news · mathrubhumi.com · metsi.fi · migraciokutato.hu · munsifdaily.com · nationalheraldindia.com · navhindtimes.in · nayaindia.com · nayalook.com · newindianexpress.com · news.abplive.com · News18.com · news18.com · newsable.asianetnews.com