Mumbai: Facing an open revolt by six of his party's Lok Sabha MPs, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said he was willing to relinquish the party leadership if members no longer had confidence in him, while Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde suggested that more leaders from the rival camp could soon defect.
Thackeray and Shinde addressed separate events in Mumbai to commemorate the 60th foundation day of the undivided Shiv Sena. None of the six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs attended either programme.
Speaking at his party's event at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, Thackeray said that despite repeated political challenges and attacks, his determination to fight remained intact.
Breaking his silence on the emerging split within the party for the second time in four years, the former chief minister said that after leading the organisation for more than a decade and facing continuous criticism, he was prepared to vacate the top post if necessary.
"I would be happy if someone from the party ranks becomes the next Shiv Sena president, but I will not let it pass on in the hands of thieves," an emotional Thackeray told party workers.
He maintained that he had no attachment to the leadership position and was ready to step aside but insisted that the party must not fall into the hands of "traitors".
Thackeray said he had carried the responsibility of leading the organisation for the last 12 to 13 years while enduring multiple political and personal attacks.
"If the allegations being levelled against me are true, then I am ready to step down . I have no lust for leadership," he said.
He added that he had remained steadfast through every challenge.
"But I don't want even a single Shiv Sainik pointing fingers at me that's I resigned as chief minister (in 2022) and didn't continue as MLC (in 2026)," he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also asserted that party workers were not demoralised by the latest developments and instead had become more determined, attempting to downplay the rebellion within the party's parliamentary wing.
On Thursday, six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs — Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure — skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi despite a party whip.
Thackeray dismisses speculations on Congress merger
Responding to claims that the MPs feared a merger with the Congress, Thackeray dismissed the speculation.
"If we didn't merge with the BJP despite being an ally for 30 years, how can we merge with the Congress. I fear the Maharashtra BJP might merge with the Shinde Sena," he remarked.
"We have had severe political differences with the Congress, but it never tried to destroy the Shiv Sena like the BJP is doing," he added.
He apologised to the electorate for electing MPs who now appear ready to change political sides.
Rejecting criticism that he remained disconnected from party workers and the public, Thackeray defended his campaign efforts.
"If I didn't move out to meet party workers and travel across the state how did all of them win elections. During the (2024) Lok Sabha elections, I held seven to ten meetings in every constituency. They (rebels) became MPs because of the faith of Shiv Sainiks and voters," he asserted.
Reiterating the party's founding principles, Thackeray said:
"The Shiv Sena was not born to merge with anyone. It was created to fight for the rights of Marathi people and protect Hindutva," and claimed he accepted the chief minister's post in 2019 out of responsibility after the BJP had "betrayed" the united Shiv Sena.
He further alleged that the country was heading towards a "one party, no election" model, warning that the BJP's politics of engineering defections posed a serious threat to democracy and public faith in the electoral process.This is just a trailer: Eknath ShindeMeanwhile, addressing Shiv Sena's foundation day function at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, party president and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hinted that more defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT) could be imminent.
Referring to speculation surrounding 'Operation Tiger', Shinde said, "This is just a trailer and the movie is yet to come. Just see what happens ahead (Yeh too sirf trailer tha. Picture abhi baaki hain. Aage aage dekho hota hain kya)," indicating that additional public representatives could switch camps.
A significant portion of Shinde's speech was devoted to criticising Thackeray.
Without naming his former party chief, Shinde remarked that a wolf cannot become a tiger simply by wearing a tiger's skin.
"These wolves threatened me when I led the revolt (against Thackeray) in 2022," he said.
He argued that merely sharing blood ties with Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray does not make one his political heir, adding that the party is not personal property.
Shinde said those who had abandoned the saffron flag had lost political relevance, while those who upheld Bal Thackeray's ideals were being unfairly criticised.
Taking another swipe at Thackeray, he said a general cannot remain confined at home and must lead from the front, describing himself as someone who does exactly that.
Without naming Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, Shinde also remarked, "some dogs bark but a tiger roars and hunts".
Commenting on Raut's criticism of the rebel MPs, Shinde said, "You curse them in the morning and then talk good about them in the evening."
The Deputy Chief Minister also attacked the opposition INDIA bloc and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying Gandhi continued as the alliance's captain despite repeated electoral defeats.
He further claimed that parties such as Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD and DMK have suffered politically whenever they aligned with the Congress.
Concluding his address, Shinde praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 12 years in office and becoming the country's longest-serving elected prime minister, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru.