Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday issued an emotional appeal to party workers and supporters amid a fresh rebellion within the party, apologising to Shiv Sainiks and voters as six of the party's Lok Sabha MPs moved closer to the rival Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Addressing a gathering on the party's 60th foundation day, Thackeray said he was ready to step down as party president if workers no longer had faith in his leadership. However, he made it clear that he would not hand over the party to what he described as "thieves" and would only relinquish leadership to someone he trusted.
"I apologise because Shiv Sainiks are emotional and fired up," Thackeray said, referring to the anger and disappointment among party workers following the rebellion by some MPs. He also apologised to voters who had elected the MPs under the Shiv Sena (UBT) banner, accusing the rebels of betraying the mandate given to them by the people of Maharashtra.
The crisis comes amid reports that six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs have either formed a separate group or are in touch with the Shinde camp, raising fears of another split similar to the 2022 rebellion that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
Thackeray also hit out at the BJP, alleging that it was attempting to weaken opposition parties and move towards a one-party political system. He claimed that efforts were being made to poach leaders from rival parties and warned that such developments could undermine democratic processes.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership has responded by issuing show-cause notices and warning rebel MPs of possible disqualification for defying party directives and skipping key meetings. The party has also denied speculation that it plans to merge with the Congress.
The latest developments have intensified political uncertainty in Maharashtra, with rival Sena factions holding separate foundation day rallies and both sides seeking to project strength amid the ongoing battle for the party's future.
