Uddhav Thackeray Says Leadership Depends on Shiv Sainiks, Slams Rebels and BJP at Sena’s 60th Foundation Day

Mumbai, June 2026 : Amid growing internal unrest within Shiv Sena (UBT), party chief Uddhav Thackeray used the occasion of the party’s 60th Foundation Day to deliver an emotional yet combative message, asserting that his leadership rests solely on the confidence of grassroots workers and not on political positions or parliamentary numbers.

Addressing a large gathering of party workers in Mumbai on Friday, Thackeray dismissed suggestions that he was clinging to power and declared that he would immediately relinquish the party presidency if the rank-and-file Shiv Sainiks no longer wanted him to lead.

“I never entered politics to hold on to a post. As long as lakhs of dedicated Shiv Sainiks believe in my leadership, I will continue to fight. The day they tell me to step aside, I will resign without hesitation,” he said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a fresh crisis within the party, following reports that six Lok Sabha MPs had openly rebelled against the leadership. Thackeray sought to draw a distinction between loyal workers and leaders who, according to him, had abandoned the party for personal political ambitions.

He accused the rebel MPs of pursuing ministerial positions and political gains while ignoring the sacrifices made by ordinary party workers. By placing his mandate directly in the hands of Shiv Sainiks, Thackeray attempted to reinforce his emotional bond with the party’s traditional support base ahead of key municipal elections, particularly in Mumbai.

The former Maharashtra Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Referring to the recent defections, he apologised to voters who had supported the party and accused the defectors of betraying public trust.

“I apologise to the people in constituencies where this betrayal has occurred. These leaders won because of the hard work of our workers and the faith of voters. We were constantly told our MPs won because of Narendra Modi’s popularity. Yet this time nine of our MPs won without relying on Modi’s image. Why then this continued political horse-trading?” he asked.

Thackeray also defended his decision to become Chief Minister in 2019, arguing that he accepted the role only after the BJP allegedly failed to honour its commitments to Shiv Sena following the Assembly elections.

Responding to criticism directed at his family, including wife Rashmi Thackeray and sons Aaditya and Tejas, he questioned why the Thackeray family should be singled out for scrutiny.

“You become ministers, MPs and MLAs, and your families enjoy political power. But when someone from Matoshree takes responsibility, questions are raised. Why should Matoshree only suffer?” he said.

Turning his attention to governance issues, Thackeray criticised what he described as the “commercialisation” of politics. Taking a swipe at alleged inducements offered to defecting leaders, he contrasted their situation with the difficulties faced by farmers.

“Our workers struggle on the ground, while some politicians enjoy boxes of money. Farmers are not getting fair support prices for their crops, but the support price for defecting MPs seems guaranteed,” he remarked.

He also attacked the state government over agricultural policies, claiming that the crop loan waiver scheme had failed to provide meaningful relief to farmers.

“The loan waiver has turned out to be misleading. Farmers feel cheated and believe it offers little real benefit,” he said.

On the government’s flagship Ladki Bahin welfare initiative, Thackeray alleged that benefits promised before elections had later been reduced or withdrawn for millions of women beneficiaries.

The Foundation Day rally highlighted the challenges facing Shiv Sena (UBT) as it battles defections and political competition. At the same time, Thackeray’s speech sought to rally party workers by portraying the struggle as one between loyal grassroots supporters and leaders driven by personal ambition, while positioning himself as the custodian of Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.