This could probably be because the outfit has never cared much for democratic ways, for its survival and internal working. This idea was further enhanced with flip-flops on various issues. Despite a love-hate relationship with other political outfits, itsu00a0leaders and people who matter most, Thackeray succeeded in maintaining his iron grip over the organisation and his followers.

Bal Thackeray & The Rise of the Shiv Sena, Vaibhav Purandare, Rs 499, Roli Books. Available at leading bookstores.u00a0