Fresh speculation of another split in the Shiv Sena has surfaced after the Shinde faction claimed that seven MPs from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with them and may switch sides soon.

Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLC Krupal Tumane told ANI that quiet discussions have been going on for the past month under what he called “Operation Tiger”. He said the process is now in its final stage and the MPs could join the Shinde group before the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins.

The claim has triggered a fresh round of political activity in Maharashtra, where the Thackeray family’s control over the party has been under strain ever since the 2022 rebellion led by Eknath Shinde.

Uddhav Thackeray, during a meeting with party MPs on June 14, reportedly took a calm but firm stand. According to those familiar with the meeting, he told leaders that anyone who wants to leave the party is free to do so and would not be stopped. He referred to the 2022 split, saying he had known about the rebellion then but chose not to pressure anyone to stay.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Deshmukh met Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav in Delhi on Monday. Deshmukh had skipped the Sunday party meeting, citing family reasons. His meeting with the minister has added to the buzz, though no official confirmation of any switch has come yet.

Sanjay Raut, the sharp-tongued UBT MP, quickly dismissed the claims as baseless. He asserted that all party MPs remain loyal to Uddhav Thackeray and described the reports of another split as false propaganda. Raut questioned Krupal Tumane’s relevance, asking, “Who is Kripal Tumane?” and calling him not a major name in Maharashtra politics.

Raut pointed out that all MPs had attended Uddhav’s meeting four days ago and expressed full confidence in his leadership. Some even swore on their family members to stay with Thackeray, he added. However, media reports suggested that only four MPs attended the meeting in person, one joined virtually, and four were absent, raising questions about the actual strength of the group.

This development comes nearly four years after the original split that changed Maharashtra politics. On June 20, 2022, 40 of Shiv Sena’s 55 MLAs sided with Eknath Shinde while Uddhav Thackeray was Chief Minister. After a dramatic few days involving a Supreme Court approach and a floor test, Thackeray resigned. Shinde took oath as Chief Minister with BJP support on June 30, 2022.

The battle for the party’s identity continued in courts and the Election Commission. In January 2024, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar recognised the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena, citing majority support. The Election Commission later awarded the traditional bow-and-arrow symbol to Shinde’s group, forcing Uddhav’s faction to contest as Shiv Sena (UBT).

The current claims of seven MPs crossing over, if true, could further weaken Uddhav Thackeray’s position in national politics, where numbers matter in Parliament. The Shinde faction, already in power in the state with BJP, sees this as another opportunity to consolidate its hold over the original Shiv Sena legacy.

For now, both sides are digging in. The Shinde camp is projecting confidence, while the UBT side is playing down the reports and stressing unity. Political observers in Mumbai say such claims often surface ahead of important sessions to create pressure and test loyalties.

The coming days will be crucial. If even a couple of MPs do switch, it could trigger more movement. Maharashtra’s politics has rarely been stable since 2022, with multiple smaller shifts and realignments keeping the state in constant churn.

Uddhav Thackeray’s “they are free to leave” remark is being seen by some as a sign of quiet confidence and by others as acceptance of ground realities. The party that once dominated Mumbai and much of Maharashtra remains divided, with both factions claiming to be the true inheritors of Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology.

As the Monsoon Session approaches, all eyes are on the seven names doing the rounds. Whether Tumane’s claims materialise or remain political posturing will soon become clear. For now, the speculation itself has added fresh heat to an already volatile political summer in the state.

Woman confronts BJP Minister over Mumbai traffic gridlock

Frustrated by a massive jam in Worli caused by a political rally, a woman commuter lashed out at Minister Girish Mahajan, sparking a major political row.

A routine commute turned into a public showdown in Mumbai’s Worli on Tuesday after a woman, stranded for hours in a massive traffic snarl, directly confronted Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan. The gridlock was a fallout of a protest march organized by the Mahayuti alliance, which brought several parts of South Mumbai to a virtual standstill.

The confrontation, which was captured on camera and widely shared across social platforms, has emerged as the latest news today highlighting the growing friction between political event management and public convenience. As the video gained traction, it triggered a wave of criticism from the opposition, who accused the ruling alliance of being detached from the struggles of the common citizen.

Commuters stranded in Worli

The protest, held on April 21, was intended as a show of strength by the Mahayuti alliance regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill. However, the logistical execution of the rally led to a total collapse of traffic movement in and around Worli by early afternoon.

Long queues of ambulances, school buses, and private vehicles were seen stuck as supporters occupied major arterial roads. It was during this peak chaos that an unidentified woman exited her vehicle and walked up to Girish Mahajan’s convoy to register her protest.

Viral face-off caught on camera

Witnesses stated that the woman appeared visibly distressed by the delay. In the viral footage, she is seen questioning the Minister about the necessity of blocking roads for a political demonstration, eventually telling the leaders to "leave" the spot to allow traffic to flow.

The Minister, surrounded by security and party workers, appeared caught off guard by the directness of the exchange. This incident has since become a trending news India topic, with many netizens hailing the woman’s "fearless" stand against the VIP culture often associated with such rallies.

Opposition slams 'Event Management'

The opposition was quick to capitalize on the public embarrassment faced by the BJP leader. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut took a swipe at the Mahayuti alliance on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that public patience with such displays of power is wearing thin.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also launched a scathing attack, noting that the "voice of an ordinary woman" proved more potent than the party’s slogans. He argued that the BJP’s reliance on large-scale events often comes at the cost of the daily lives of Mumbaikars, describing the rally as a "spectacle" rather than a sincere protest.

Calls for public accountability

Adding to the chorus of criticism, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar stated that holding citizens "hostage" in traffic for political mileage is unacceptable. He emphasized that such protests often ignore people dealing with medical emergencies or urgent work commitments.

"If people are made to remain stuck for hours just to please 'His Master’s Voice', there will certainly be a strong public reaction," Pawar remarked. He noted that while the cause of a protest might be valid, the method should not infringe upon the basic rights of movement of the general public.

Impact on ruling alliance

This public interest story has put the Mahayuti government on the defensive regarding the permission granted for such large-scale rallies on working days. Sources indicated that the police department is now facing questions over why alternate routes were not effectively managed before the march began.

Political analysts suggest that this incident might force a rethink on how political parties conduct shows of strength in congested urban hubs like Mumbai. The backlash serves as a reminder that digital-age voters are increasingly intolerant of administrative lapses caused by political activities.

Future of urban protests

As the video continues to circulate as a major India news update, the state government is expected to issue a statement regarding traffic management protocols for future events. For now, the image of a lone woman standing up to a powerful minister has become a symbol of civic frustration in the city.