Uddhav Thackeray’s speech came loaded with symbolism, with a carefully selected video clip playing in the background. The clip featured his oath-taking ceremony as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 2019, a tenure that was abruptly cut short in June 2022 after Shinde’s rebellion led to a split within the Shiv Sena. Thackeray used this imagery to evoke a sense of legitimacy, addressing not only his traditional voter base but also political observers who continue to question the internal dynamics of the split that occurred last year.
Positioning himself as a defender of the Shiv Sena’s original ideology, Thackeray took several veiled jabs at Shinde’s faction, now aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Thackeray emphasized that the essence of the Shiv Sena’s commitment to Hindutva remained intact under his leadership, portraying Shinde as a political opportunist who has abandoned the core principles of the party. Without directly naming his rival, Thackeray alluded to the ongoing disputes within the party, stating that “some people have chosen the path of betrayal for power.”
Thackeray’s speech carried a warning for his opponents, particularly as the political battle lines in Maharashtra are increasingly drawn ahead of the state elections. The timing of the speech, with just weeks to go before voters head to the polls, added to the urgency of his message. “We built this party with our blood and sweat,” Thackeray said, “and we will not allow those who have stabbed us in the back to take it away.”
Meanwhile, a little over 10 kilometers away at Azad Maidan, Eknath Shinde launched a scathing counterattack. Shinde did not mince words as he accused Thackeray of pursuing what he called ‘appeasement politics.’ Comparing Thackeray to Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen), Shinde suggested that his former leader had moved away from the Shiv Sena’s Hindutva roots to indulge in Muslim appeasement. “The Shiv Sena was never about compromise,” Shinde stated, directing his words at Thackeray’s shifting alliances during his time in power.
Shinde’s reference to the AIMIM, a party widely known for its strong Muslim voter base, carried significant weight in the charged political atmosphere of Maharashtra. By drawing this comparison, Shinde sought to highlight the ideological transformation he claims the Shiv Sena underwent under Thackeray’s leadership. It was a direct effort to align himself more closely with Hindutva voters, who have been central to the Shiv Sena’s political identity for decades. “Our Shiv Sena was about Balasaheb’s vision of Hindutva,” Shinde proclaimed, referring to the party’s founder and Thackeray’s father, Bal Thackeray. “But what Uddhav Thackeray is doing now is far from that vision.”
This year’s Dussehra speeches were not only a reflection of Maharashtra’s changing political alliances but also a preview of the coming electoral showdown. Both Thackeray and Shinde are keenly aware of the stakes involved in the upcoming Maharashtra polls, which will determine the balance of power in one of India’s most politically significant states. The speeches served as a form of early campaign rhetoric, setting the tone for what is expected to be a highly competitive electoral contest.
While Shinde now occupies the Chief Minister’s chair, his path to victory in the elections is far from assured. His alliance with the BJP has given him the advantage of a broader voter base, but his rebellion against Thackeray has also fractured the traditional Shiv Sena vote bank. Shinde has attempted to position himself as the true inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s legacy, but many Shiv Sena loyalists continue to view Uddhav Thackeray as the legitimate torchbearer of the party.
Thackeray, for his part, has faced several challenges since his ousting as Chief Minister, not least of which is the ongoing legal battle over the Shiv Sena’s party name and symbol. The Election Commission’s decision on which faction is entitled to use the Shiv Sena name will be a critical factor in the election, as it could sway voter perception of both leaders’ legitimacy. Thackeray’s strategy has been to focus on his track record during the pandemic and his efforts to maintain Maharashtra’s industrial and economic growth, despite the political turmoil that led to his downfall.