29 June,2026 03:47 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday launched a fresh attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that his government was toppled after 40 MLAs defected from the undivided Shiv Sena.
Speaking to reporters in Shirdi, Thackeray claimed that the Shinde faction contested the subsequent Assembly elections with a new election symbol while using the image of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, which, he said, created confusion among voters.
"I contested the election with a new symbol, drawing strength from my father's legacy," Thackeray said, adding that the rival faction had no independent political identity. Taking a swipe at the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, he remarked that it was "a party without a father" and alleged that it keeps changing its political patrons.
Responding to Thackeray's assertion that the rebel MPs had won previous Lok Sabha elections because of his leadership, Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat said such claims reflected "political arrogance".
Questioning Thackeray's statement, Shirsat said the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s electoral decline told a different story.
"If everyone won elections because of your leadership, then why did the party's MLA count fall from 63 to 20 in the last Assembly election? The MPs and MLAs who won elections under your leadership eventually left the party. Shiv Sena (UBT) and its leadership should take responsibility for this," he said.
Continuing his criticism, Shirsat alleged that the repeated defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT) reflected growing dissatisfaction within the party rather than the influence of external factors.
He said that instead of blaming leaders who had left, the party leadership should introspect and examine the reasons behind the exodus.
"Thackeray's ego is finishing his party," Shirsat alleged.
The exchange of remarks comes amid escalating political tensions following the defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Leaders from both factions have continued to trade barbs as they seek to consolidate support ahead of upcoming political contests in Maharashtra.
