Fake Senas born out of commerce, real Sena built on sacrifice: Shiv Sena (UBT)

Marking the Shiv Senas 60th anniversary the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT on Friday said the party has survived repeated attempts to weaken and divide it over the past six decades and asserted that its foundations remain rooted in sacrifice public service and ideologyIn an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana the party said several efforts had been made over the years to fracture the Shiv Sena but maintained that the organisation built by late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had endured every challengeThe editorial comes at a time when the party is facing fresh political turbulence amid reports of possible defections by some of its Lok Sabha MPsParty says Shiv Sena has survived repeated challengesReflecting on the partys journey the editorial said Shiv Sena had faced numerous attempts to undermine its strength since its inceptionOver the last six decades multiple attempts have been made to tear apart and fracture the Shiv Sena driven purely by the constant fear the party instils in its opponents Many rival Senas emerged and dissolved during this period but the foundation and pinnacle built by Balasaheb Thackeray remained unshaken the editorial saidWithout directly referring to the current political developments involving some party MPs the editorial suggested that organisations created for political convenience lacked the ideological foundations of the original Shiv SenaAttack on commercial mindset politicsThe editorial drew a distinction between the Shiv Senas origins and what it described as politically motivated splinter groupsEven today though imitation outfits driven by a commercial mindset continue to mushroom the establishment of the Shiv Sena was never a commercial transaction The Sena chief never allowed it to become one it saidThe editorial further stated that individuals viewed as opportunists had periodically been removed from the organisation to preserve its ideological character and organisational cultureAccording to the party Shiv Sena evolved as a movement rooted in Marathi identity and Hindutva while maintaining a strong connection with ordinary citizensTribute to grassroots network and public serviceThe editorial highlighted the role played by Shiv Senas network of local shakhas and party workers in addressing civic and social issuesThe Shiv Sena taught the Marathi man to stand tall with selfrespect It instilled the confidence in their hearts and wrists to declare This Mumbai is mine the editorial saidIt claimed the party created a large grassroots structure that assisted people with everyday issues ranging from civic disputes and school admissions to healthcare and public welfare concernsAccording to the editorial Shiv Sena workers consistently responded to emergencies accidents and crises making the organisation a significant social and political force in MaharashtraReference to betrayals and political defectionsThe Thackeray camp also referred to instances of leaders leaving the party over the years and described them as acts of betrayal motivated by political ambitionSince its inception individuals driven by severe political ambition have stabbed the party in the back The Shiv Sena has reached this milestone by absorbing all these blows on its back as none of its adversaries ever had the courage to confront it facetoface the editorial saidRecalling a statement attributed to Bal Thackeray it added So many wounds have been inflicted on my back that there is no space left to take a new oneThe comments are likely to be viewed in the context of the current speculation over a possible split within the partys parliamentary ranksSena highlights role in Maharashtra politicsThe editorial credited the partys social and political work for its rise from a regional movement to a major political forceIt claimed that Shiv Sena had transformed ordinary workers into councillors legislators MPs and ministers through its organisational strength and public outreachOnly the Shiv Sena could pull off the miracle of turning the most ordinary citizens into MLAs MPs and Ministers making the party the crowning glory of Maharashtras pride it saidThe party argued that its electoral success was built on years of grassroots engagement and public serviceReasserts commitment to Hindutva and nationalismThe editorial also reiterated the partys commitment to Hindutva and nationalism describing these as core pillars of its ideologyWhether it was the battle for Malanggad or Ayodhya the Shiv Sena sacrificed immensely in the great ritual fire of Hindutva Have todays counterfeit champions of Hindutva achieved even a fraction of that work it askedThe editorial further stated that the party has consistently upheld the principle of Nation First and would continue to do soConcluding on a symbolic note as the organisation entered its 60th year the editorial asserted that despite political challenges defections and rival claims the Shiv Senas legacy and identity would endureThe Shiv Sena is immortal the editorial said