Amid growing speculation of a potential split within Shiv Sena (UBT), Uddhav Thackeray on Friday expressed his readiness to resign as the party president if its workers lose confidence in his leadership. Speaking during the 60th foundation day celebrations of Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Thackeray emphasized that he would support the emergence of a new leader from within the party but firmly opposed the idea of the organization falling into the hands of what he termed as “betrayers.”
The speculation of an internal rift comes on the heels of reports suggesting that several Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament might align themselves with the faction led by Eknath Shinde. Addressing these concerns, Thackeray issued an apology to the voters who had supported candidates under his leadership, expressing his disappointment over the alleged defections.
In his address, Thackeray also launched a vehement critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of trying to weaken and dismantle his party. He warned that India’s political scene was shifting towards a system dominated by a single party, reflecting on the broader implications for the country’s democratic framework.
Discussing the Shiv Sena’s historical rivalry with the Congress, Thackeray acknowledged that despite their past differences, the Congress had never attempted to eliminate his party. However, he made it clear that a merger with Congress was not on the cards, reiterating Shiv Sena’s foundational commitment to representing the interests of the Marathi people.
