Uddhav Thackeray Offers To Quit Sena UBT Post
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray has offered to step down from the party’s top post if workers no longer have confidence in his leadership, as the party faces renewed internal turbulence over possible defections by several Lok Sabha MPs.
Uddhav Thackeray Offers To Quit Party Post
Addressing Shiv Sena (UBT) workers during the party’s 60th foundation day event in Mumbai, Thackeray said he had no desire to hold on to leadership if party members believed he had failed them. He said he was willing to hand over the organisation to someone from within the party ranks, but added that the Shiv Sena should not fall into the hands of those he described as betrayers.
The former Maharashtra chief minister also rejected speculation that Shiv Sena (UBT) could merge with the Congress. He said the party had not merged with the BJP despite being its ally for decades, and therefore there was no question of merging with the Congress.
Shiv Sena UBT Faces MP Rebellion
The remarks came amid reports that six of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a key parliamentary party meeting in Delhi despite a party whip. The development has triggered fresh concerns of a split in the party’s parliamentary unit.
Thackeray apologised to voters who had elected the MPs and said their mandate should not be treated casually. He also defended his connection with party workers, saying the party’s electoral wins were possible because of the efforts of Shiv Sainiks across Maharashtra.
Eknath Shinde Hints At More Defections
At a separate foundation day event, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hinted that more leaders could leave the Uddhav-led faction. Referring to the current political churn, Shinde said it was only a “trailer” and that more developments could follow.
The latest episode has deepened the political rivalry between the two Shiv Sena factions, nearly four years after the 2022 split that changed Maharashtra’s political landscape.
