Amid growing speculation about a possible rift within Shiv Sena (UBT), Uddhav Thackeray expressed his willingness to relinquish his role as party president if the party members lose faith in his leadership. Speaking at the 60th foundation day celebrations of Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Thackeray reached out to party workers, signalling openness to a new leader emerging from within the party, while firmly opposing any takeover by individuals he deemed disloyal.
His comments come as reports surface indicating that several Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament might be considering shifting their allegiance to the faction led by Eknath Shinde. Thackeray offered an apology to the voters who backed candidates under his leadership, voicing his disappointment over the potential defections.
The former Maharashtra Chief Minister did not hold back in criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of trying to destabilize and dismantle Shiv Sena. Thackeray alleged that the BJP’s efforts were part of a broader move towards establishing a political environment dominated by a single party, which he viewed as a concerning trend in India’s democracy.
Reflecting on Shiv Sena’s historical political dynamics with the Congress, Thackeray pointed out that despite years of rivalry, the Congress had never attempted to obliterate his party. However, he dismissed the possibility of merging with the Congress, reaffirming Shiv Sena’s core mission to advocate for the interests of the Marathi community.