NEW DELHI: To say Uddhav Thackeray is facing an existential crisis barely scratches the surface of the turmoil engulfing the son of Balasaheb Thackeray.
Uddhav has lost not only the iconic Shiv Sena name but also the legendary bow-and-arrow symbol to Eknath Shinde, a former loyalist turned formidable adversary, who also claimed the coveted chief minister’s post.
In retrospect, Uddhav’s quest for the CM position seems to have cost him both his political legacy and his power.
With Shiv Sena (UBT) managing to win only 17 out of 85 contested seats, suffering heavy defeats in key regions, Uddhav now finds himself on a precarious path, one that’s unfamiliar and where recovery looks increasingly unlikely.
The party’s poor performance, especially in its stronghold of Mumbai, signals a disconnection between the Thackeray name and its once-dedicated base.
On Saturday, Uddhav Thackeray described the assembly election results as “completely unexpected and incomprehensible.”
“It seems as if a tsunami has come, rather than a wave. The question is whether the general public agrees with it or not,” he said, highlighting the confusion surrounding the outcome.
Uddhav expressed disbelief over the causes behind the wave, reflecting on the issues that had dominated the MVA campaign:
“Did all those people who attended our meetings vote for Mahayuti? Was it because soybeans are not getting good prices? Because industries in Maharashtra are moving out of the state? Because women are not safe? We do not know the anger that triggered this wave. The result is incomprehensible. We will have to find the reason behind it. Do not be disappointed.”
He went on to urge his supporters not to lose heart: “Do not be discouraged. This is the victory of EVM; it may be. If the people of Maharashtra do not accept the results, we will continue to fight with all our hearts. We promise the people of Maharashtra that we will continue to fight.”
Uddhav also raised questions about the rising discontent, particularly over inflation, noting, “If this is the impact of the Ladki Bahin scheme, then the rest of the things are clearly visible. Our rallies were getting huge crowds compared to Ladki Bahin. People were asking how to run the house because inflation is increasing. So, did they vote as a compliment to the increasing inflation? This is not a joke, but will there be a genuine BJP chief minister?”
Despite the crushing defeat, Thackeray remained resolute: “We will keep fighting for the rights of Maharashtra.” He added, “I cannot believe that Maharashtra, which listened to me as head of the family during Covid, would behave with me in this manner.”
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which included Sena (UBT), Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP), suffered a humiliating defeat, securing or leading in just about 50 seats, a far cry from the optimistic boasts by its senior leaders that the alliance would easily trounce the Mahayuti.
Thackeray, in disbelief, called the results a “tsunami” rather than a mere wave: “We will keep fighting for the rights of Maharashtra,” he promised.
Shiv Sena (UBT) won only 20 out of the 95 seats it contested.
COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Uddhav Thackeray effectively connected with the people by addressing them directly through social media platforms like Facebook Live.
His approach portrayed him as a reassuring and approachable leader, earning him widespread praise during those challenging times.
However, despite his commendable leadership during the pandemic, Uddhav seemed unaware of the growing unrest within a significant faction of his party.
Many members were unhappy with the alliance formed with ideological rivals, the Congress and NCP. This discontent eventually culminated in Eknath Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022, which caught Uddhav off guard and led to the collapse of his government, resulting in a deep split within the party.
Even after these setbacks, Uddhav remained steadfast. He intensified his criticism of the BJP and its top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while launching scathing attacks on the “traitors” who aligned themselves with Shinde.