Mumbai: With ‘Operation Tiger’ now almost complete and the merger of the rebel MPs with the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena said to be a formality, the rival Shiv Senas will have a showdown at the party’s foundation day events in Mumbai on Friday. June 19 this year marks the 60th anniversary of the party’s founding.
Shinde Sena vs Sena (UBT)
While the Shinde-led Sena is said to turn its event into a show of strength, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena’s celebration is expected to be muted, with the most recent rebellion of six Lok Sabha MPs having come as a jolt for Uddhav. The Shinde Sena’s anniversary celebration will take place at Nesco in Goregaon, while the Sena (UBT)’s event will be held at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion. Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray will address their party cadre.
Expected Speeches and Strategies
While Shinde is expected to once again claim the legacy of late Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, the Sena (UBT) is expected to avoid any show of strength given the latest rebellion. However, Uddhav will respond to the recent defections and is expected to target Shinde and the BJP. Thackeray will also try to keep his flock together through an emotional appeal, sources said.
Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant indicated that the party will put up an aggressive front on Friday. Through a cryptic post on social media, he said many “formidable ones have been subdued,” indicating that Operation Tiger had been successful and top Sena (UBT) netas would join the Shinde Sena. Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat on Thursday claimed that discontent had been brewing among Sena (UBT) MPs for the past year and has now come to the fore.
Sena (UBT) Emotional Appeal
The Sena (UBT) reacted with an emotional post on X ahead of the 60th anniversary, saying its journey will continue. “Embracing the legacy of Maharashtra’s welfare, the Shiv Sena’s journey, which began thus, will continue unceasingly. Generations kept struggling for the sake of Maharashtra’s welfare. Shiv Sena kept fighting for the sake of public service. We are the loyal Shiv Sainiks of Thackeray! Where there is Thackeray, there is loyalty. Where there is loyalty, there is a Shiv Sainik!” the party said in the post, sharing photos of Prabodhankar, Balasaheb, Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray.
Shinde Sena’s Show of Strength
The Shinde Sena on Thursday put up banners across Mumbai inviting Sainiks for the anniversary event on Friday. “Shiv Sena among the people and Shiv Sena in the hearts,” the banners screamed, with large cutouts of Eknath Shinde and Balasaheb Thackeray in the background.
