Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray made an emotional appeal to party workers on the organisation’s 60th foundation day, saying he was prepared to step down as party president if members no longer had faith in his leadership. His remarks come amid a fresh political crisis triggered by a rebellion among several party MPs.
Addressing party workers in Mumbai, Thackeray acknowledged the growing unrest within the party and apologised to supporters for the ongoing turmoil. He said he would willingly relinquish the top post if Shiv Sainiks believed someone else could lead the organisation more effectively. However, he stressed that the party founded by his father, Bal Thackeray, would not be handed over to those who had betrayed its ideals.
The latest crisis erupted after six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs reportedly moved closer to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The rebel MPs have raised concerns over the party’s direction and leadership, sparking speculation of another split within the Thackeray camp.
Responding to allegations from rebel leaders that Shiv Sena (UBT) was considering a merger with Congress, Thackeray firmly rejected the claims. He said the party was created to protect the interests of Marathi people and uphold its ideology, not to merge with any other political organisation.
Meanwhile, the party has taken disciplinary action against the absent MPs, issuing fresh show-cause notices and seeking explanations for their conduct. Senior leaders have warned that failure to respond could invite further action.
The developments mark another challenging chapter for Thackeray, who has been battling internal divisions since the major split led by Eknath Shinde in 2022.
