Shinde, Thackeray give contrasting messages on Shiv Sena's foundation day
What's the story
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addressed the party's 60th foundation day with contrasting messages. Shinde, who leads a rival faction of the Shiv Sena, sought to present his group as Bal Thackeray's true successors. He said, "This is only a trailer. The movie is yet to come." He likened his faction to a tiger while calling his opponents "dogs."
Loyalty questioned
Shinde mocks Uddhav, defends breakaway faction
Shinde also questioned why leaders were leaving Thackeray's camp, saying, "Some people keep saying, 'If anyone wants to leave, let them leave freely.' Look at them—they keep barking every day." He quoted a famous line from the movie "Sholay" to mock his opponents. Shinde also defended his 2022 decision to break away from Thackeray and align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), arguing that his faction had grown stronger in the Maharashtra Assembly.
Leadership offer
Thackeray warns against letting Shiv Sena fall into 'traitors' hands
Meanwhile, Thackeray addressed his supporters with an emotional appeal, saying he was ready to resign if they didn't trust him anymore. "I have only one firm resolve, only one insistence: this Shiv Sena, which is more precious than gold, must never be allowed to fall into the hands of thieves and traitors through the back door," he said.
MP defection
Speculation of split in Thackeray camp
Thackeray's appeal was a response to reports that six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs were preparing to defect. The MPs, namely, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, skipped a parliamentary party meeting called by Thackeray on Thursday. This further fueled speculation of a split in the party.