During the 60th foundation day celebrations of Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray expressed his willingness to resign as party president if there was a loss of confidence among party workers in his leadership. This statement comes amidst growing speculation about a potential split within Shiv Sena (UBT). Thackeray emphasized that while he would welcome leadership emerging from within the party, he was determined not to let the organization fall into the hands of individuals whom he referred to as betrayers.
The backdrop to Thackeray’s comments is a series of reports suggesting that several Members of Parliament from Shiv Sena (UBT) might be planning to align themselves with the faction led by Eknath Shinde. Thackeray took the opportunity to apologize to voters who supported candidates elected under his leadership, expressing his disappointment over these alleged defections.
In a pointed critique, Thackeray accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to destabilize and dismantle Shiv Sena. He further asserted that India’s political scene was increasingly moving towards a one-party dominance, which he seemed to suggest was a concerning trend.
Reflecting on the party’s relationship with the Congress, Thackeray mentioned that despite a history of political rivalry spanning decades, the Congress had never attempted to eliminate Shiv Sena. Nonetheless, he was clear in his stance against merging with Congress, reiterating that Shiv Sena was established to champion the interests of the Marathi people.