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.
Uddhav Thackerry has only inherited the throne of Shiv Sena by virtue of his being the son of Tiger Bal Thackerry. His personality and oratory is very poor compared to what Bala Saheb used to have in his times. But he has maintained SS tradition of meeting all visitors at Matoshree. The SS under his command is now a fading force. What can we expect from this SS when its next president is already presumed to be his son at some time when the need arises. Only wish SS becomes as dynamic as it used to be during Bal Thackerry times. It should always be a part of BJP in fighting the Muslim appeasing forces in the country.