How a Political Split Redefined a Regional Powerhouse in Maharashtra's Complex Landscape
In short: Following a major 2022 rebellion, the Shiv Sena fractured into two distinct entities. Uddhav Thackeray emerged leading the Shiv Sena (UBT), a faction shifting toward a more progressive stance. This split, triggered by Eknath Shinde, fundamentally altered the state's political trajectory and forced a scramble for legitimacy and symbols.
The formation of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in 2022 was the direct consequence of a significant political crisis in Maharashtra. Eknath Shinde, leading a rebellion that secured the support of the majority of the party's MLAs, broke away from the original Shiv Sena. This maneuver allowed Shinde to form a new government in partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party, with Shinde assuming the role of chief minister and Devendra Fadnavis serving as his deputy.
Following the split, the two factions diverged in both ideology and identity. The group led by Uddhav Thackeray positioned itself as a more secular and progressive force, leaning toward the left, while the faction led by Shinde retained the traditional Hindu nationalist identity of the original movement. In February 2023, the Election Commission of India formally recognized the Shinde-led faction as the legitimate structure of the Shiv Sena. Thackeray has since challenged this decision at the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
The struggle for identity extended to the party's visual representation. The Election Commission initially granted the Thackeray faction the 'Flaming Torch' as a symbol, though it was later modified to better resemble a torch after critics claimed the original design looked like an ice cream. Despite these challenges, the party has navigated various alliances, including a brief partnership with the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi and the pro-Maratha Sambhaji Brigade, as it seeks to maintain its influence in a volatile electoral environment.
Electoral performance has fluctuated significantly for the faction. While the party secured 9 seats in the 2024 Indian general elections—outperforming its rival—it faced a major setback in the 2024 Assembly elections. In that contest, the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, of which the SS (UBT) is a member, won only 50 seats, while the governing MahaYuti coalition secured a landslide victory with 235 seats, with the SS (UBT) capturing 20 of those.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Shiv Sena (UBT)
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