Once synonymous to Maharashtra politics, Aaditya’s Worli win does little for Thackeray’s fading legacy

Once the symbol of Maharashtra’s political might, the Thackeray family now finds itself overshadowed by the BJP and deserted by loyalists of Balasaheb Thackeray, alienated by his descendant’s arrogance. Shiv Sena, built on Marathi pride and Hindutva, once dominated the state’s politics, but family feuds, shifting alliances and fierce competition have eroded its power, leaving the Thackeray legacy in jeopardy.

Factionalism and leadership struggles

The split between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde marked a turning point for the Shiv Sena. In 2022, Shinde led a group of Sena MLAs to join hands with the BJP, effectively dividing the party. This rebellion resulted in Shinde becoming Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, while Uddhav’s faction (Shiv Sena UBT) was pushed to the opposition. The split damaged Uddhav’s image, making him appear as a leader who couldn’t keep his party united.

Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), added to Uddhav’s troubles. At public rallies, he accused Uddhav of betraying the Shiv Sena’s traditional anti-Congress stance by forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition with Congress and the NCP. Raj claimed this alliance was a betrayal of voters who had backed the BJP-Sena partnership in 2019, arguing that Uddhav’s choices were driven by personal ambitions, not principles.

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Erosion of Hindutva ideology

Balasaheb built the Shiv Sena on strong Hindutva values, promoting Marathi pride and Hindu identity. However, under Uddhav’s leadership, the party shifted direction. His alliance with Congress and the NCP was seen as a move away from these core principles, leading to discontent among traditional Shiv Sena supporters. Many of them turned to the BJP, which emerged as the leading Hindutva force in Maharashtra.

Raj took advantage of this shift, presenting his MNS as the true heir to Balasaheb’s vision. Through fiery speeches, he emphasised Hindutva and accused Uddhav of straying from the Thackeray legacy. While these criticisms hurt Uddhav’s image, Raj himself failed to convincingly establish his party as the rightful torchbearer of Balasaheb’s ideology.

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Rise of alternatives

The BJP, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, has methodically sidelined the Thackeray family in Maharashtra’s political arena. By consolidating the Hindutva voter base, the BJP has significantly diminished Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, rendering it less influential in the state’s power dynamics. Their alliance with Shinde’s Sena has further solidified BJP’s reach across both urban and rural constituencies, reinforcing its dominance.

However, Aaditya Thackeray’s victory in the Worli assembly constituency during the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections highlights a flicker of hope for the Thackeray legacy. According to News18, Aaditya defeated Shinde faction candidate Milind Murli Deora by over 9,000 votes, securing a decisive lead in the 16th round of counting. Although the official results are awaited, Aaditya’s position appears unassailable.

While this win reaffirms Aaditya’s personal political standing, it falls short of signalling a larger resurgence for the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction). The Thackerays now face a formidable challenge: revitalising their political relevance and reclaiming their once-dominant stature in a state increasingly shaped by the BJP-Shinde alliance. Retaining Worli is a battle won, but the war for Maharashtra’s political future remains uncertain.

A legacy in crisis

The disintegration of the Thackeray legacy in Maharashtra is a result of internal rifts, ideological shifts and the rise of formidable challengers. The Shiv Sena’s split, the erosion of its Hindutva credentials and the growing influence of the BJP have all contributed to this decline.

While Aaditya’s performance in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections might offer a face-saver, the Thackeray family faces an uphill battle to reclaim their relevance in a state that no longer sees them as the uncontested custodians of Marathi pride and Hindutva politics. For Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray, the challenge is not only political survival but also the restoration of a legacy that once defined Maharashtra’s political ethos.