Uddhav Thackeray asserts control over Shiv Sena legacy, warns rebel MPs in foundation day speech
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray delivered a 38-minute speech at the party’s 60th foundation day celebrations on Friday, addressing a potential split as six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs are expected to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Thackeray did not focus on retaining the MPs but outlined the political and legal strategy he would pursue if they leave. The core of his speech centered on who has the right to claim the Shiv Sena’s legacy.
He argued that leaders may leave the party but cannot take its legacy with them. Using a banyan tree analogy, he said, “Sometimes, someone bows to one of those roots. That root may think the respect was meant for it. But in reality the respect is for the tree itself.” This was aimed at leaders who built their careers in the Shiv Sena but now assert an independent political identity.
Thackeray indicated that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is preparing a legal challenge if the rebel MPs formally switch sides. Leaders in the Shinde camp have claimed that a two-thirds split in the parliamentary party would protect MPs from disqualification under the anti-defection law. Thackeray disputed that, stating, “The decision to merge belongs to the party leadership. Therefore, the decision rests with Uddhav Thackeray and the Shiv Sena (UBT), not with those MPs.”
He directed much of his criticism at the BJP, portraying the proposed split as part of a broader pattern of weakening opposition parties through defections. He said, “Press the button next to the torch and we will win. Press the button next to the hand and the Congress will win. The BJP says press any button you want, the elected representative will eventually come to us.”
Thackeray apologised to voters in constituencies represented by the rebel MPs, saying, “I publicly apologise to all voters from those constituencies. Those voters trusted Balasaheb and trusted me.”
He also offered to resign as party president if Shiv Sainiks believed he had failed, but added the caveat that the Shiv Sena should not be handed over to “traitors” and “thieves”.
