Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 20: Facing a rebellion by six Lok Sabha MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT), party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said he was ready to step down from his post if party workers no longer had faith in his leadership, while Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde indicated that more leaders from the rival faction could switch sides.

Both leaders addressed separate events in Mumbai to mark the 60th foundation day of the undivided Shiv Sena. None of the six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs attended either of the programmes.

Addressing party workers at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, Thackeray said he has not lost his determination despite facing repeated challenges and attacks. He said he has been leading the organisation for more than a decade and was willing to give up the party president’s post if allegations against him were true.

“I would be happy if someone from the party ranks becomes the next Shiv Sena president, but I will not let it pass on into the hands of thieves,” an emotional Thackeray said.

He asserted that he was not attached to any post and was ready to relinquish leadership, but added that the party should not go into the hands of “traitors”.

Thackeray said he had carried the responsibility of leading Shiv Sena for 12 to 13 years and faced several challenges and personal attacks. He added that he did not want any Shiv Sainik to question his decisions, including stepping down as chief minister in 2022 and not continuing as an MLC in 2026.

The former chief minister said party workers were not demoralised by the latest developments but had become more determined. He also rejected claims by rebel MPs that Shiv Sena (UBT) could merge with Congress.

“If we did not merge with the BJP despite being an ally for 30 years, how can we merge with Congress? I fear Maharashtra BJP may merge with Shinde Sena,” he said.

Thackeray said the Congress and Shiv Sena had major political differences, but alleged that Congress never attempted to destroy the Shiv Sena like the BJP was doing.

He apologised to voters for electing MPs who now appeared ready to change sides and said the rebel MPs won because of the trust of Shiv Sainiks and voters.

“If I had not travelled across the state and met party workers, how did they win elections? During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, I held seven to 10 meetings in every constituency. They became MPs because of the faith of Shiv Sainiks and voters,” he said.

Thackeray said Shiv Sena was formed to fight for the rights of Marathi people and protect Hindutva, adding that the party was not created to merge with any other organisation.

He also accused the BJP of encouraging defections and said the country was moving towards “one party, no election”, which he claimed was against democratic values.

Meanwhile, addressing the Shiv Sena foundation day event at NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Shinde targeted Thackeray and hinted at further defections from Shiv Sena (UBT).

“This is just a trailer and the movie is yet to come. Just see what happens ahead,” Shinde said while referring to “Operation Tiger”, suggesting more leaders could join his faction.

Shinde questioned why leaders and representatives were leaving Thackeray’s side and said introspection was needed. He criticised Thackeray’s leadership style and said a leader cannot remain at home but has to be on the front line.

Without naming Thackeray loyalist Sanjay Raut, Shinde said, “Some dogs bark but a tiger roars and hunts,” while attacking criticism against rebel MPs.

He also targeted the Opposition INDIA bloc and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying some parties have suffered electoral setbacks after aligning with Congress.

Shinde praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 12 years in office and said Modi had created a record as the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of the country, surpassing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.