Shiv Sena is a Hindu right-wing party founded in 1966 by Bal Thackeray, then a political cartoonist, in Maharashtra. The party fought for the rights of the Marathis in the face of a wave of immigration from Kerala and other southern states in the 1960s. But from pro-Maratha, it soon took on the image of being a pro-Hindu party, and has faced charges of inciting hate and participating in the violence, leading up to the Bombay riots of 1992-1993.
In alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena came to power in Maharashtra in 1995. The alliance remained till 2019, except for a brief breakup in 2014. It was in 2019, that the Shiv Sena, now under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, decided to break with the BJP, and joined hands with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — parties ideologically opposed to it. This led to a split in 2022, when another Shiv Sena emerged under Eknath Shinde.
Rebellion, though, is not new to the party. The Sena split in 1991 when senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal quit along with many MLAs and workers. Then, in 2005, Narayan Rane quit and took several lawmakers along with him. Uddhav Thackeray’s cousin, Raj, left the party along with several lawmakers and workers in 2006.
The former Congresswoman lacks credibility. Anyone who makes the journey from Congress to Shiv Sena or vice versa lacks credibility. The Print is giving her views undue importance.
Change is constant and it is the only constant. When party does not evolve, people would not like to stay put.
All OK, what about Kashmiris from old to young, men, women, children. You and others are allowed to enjoy your democratic right, soon we all would in celebrative mood, but people of valley cannot because your party, partner have election to win at the cost of 370. What kind idea PC is talking about.
I am an old fashioned guy in some – wife will say in most – respects. To be part of one formation for the better part of one’s career, then make a 180 degree flip, possibly because the ticket to contest an election was not bestowed or some other privilege denied, that jars. So much inside knowledge, shared confidences being betrayed. Does not carry conviction.