The Crossbill Team
Facing one of the gravest challenges to his leadership amid a rebellion within Shiv Sena (UBT), party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday (June 19) delivered an emotional address to workers at Mumbai’s Shanmukhananda Hall, declaring that he was willing to relinquish his position if the cadre no longer had confidence in him.
The meeting was aimed at consolidating support within the party as several MPs are believed to have aligned with the rebel camp.
Addressing supporters, Thackeray said, “You all know how I work, and I don’t believe in clinging to a post if someone points a finger at me. I want to ask all of you: I am ready to step down. I am not greedy for a post. But if a man with a traitor’s blood falsely accuses me, then I expect you to answer him. I am not going to buckle under difficulties and will not run away from responsibility. I will continue only as long as you have faith in me. The moment you lose that faith, I will quit this post,” reported The Indian Express.
The crowd responded with chants urging him to remain at the helm of the party.
Turning his attention to the rebel parliamentarians, Thackeray apologised to voters represented by them and accused the MPs of betraying both the electorate and the legacy of his father, Balasaheb Thackeray.
“I apologise to the voters from the constituencies where these traitors won. They defeated Narendra Modi because of Balasaheb’s legacy and my support. These MPs are now backstabbing the voters,” he said.
Calling upon party workers to hold the rebels accountable, he added, “I asked you to ensure their victory. Why do you need another order to confront them? Do not lose your right to question those individuals. Go and confront them.”
Thackeray also launched a broader attack on the BJP, warning that the country was witnessing a dangerous drift towards authoritarianism.
“If things continue in this manner, we will have to come together and undertake Operation Lotus. The country is moving towards anarchy. What will be the future of a country where the youth are labelled as cockroaches? They (the BJP) are moving towards one party and no polls. But I have a small piece of advice for BJP: our Independence was not achieved by winning polls, but through the rebellion of youngsters,” he stated.
Amid speculation over a possible rapprochement or merger with the Congress, the Sena (UBT) chief firmly ruled out any such move.
“We stayed with the BJP for 30 years. We never became the BJP. What makes you think we will merge with the Congress? The situation is such that the Maharashtra BJP will merge with Mindhe (Eknath Shinde)… Shiv Sena is not going to merge with anyone…”
Reaffirming his commitment to his father's political legacy, he said, “I know that I, Uddhav Thackeray, am immaterial. But Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray is not.”
Before Thackeray's speech, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and Lok Sabha MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Vaze, the four parliamentarians who have remained with Sena (UBT), were felicitated at the gathering.
Thackeray asserted that, apart from these leaders, around 20 MLAs, several corporators and thousands of party workers had continued to stand by him.
The event was intended to send a message of unity and resilience as the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction confronts a fresh split that threatens to reshape Maharashtra’s political landscape.
The meeting was aimed at consolidating support within the party as several MPs are believed to have aligned with the rebel camp.
Addressing supporters, Thackeray said, “You all know how I work, and I don’t believe in clinging to a post if someone points a finger at me. I want to ask all of you: I am ready to step down. I am not greedy for a post. But if a man with a traitor’s blood falsely accuses me, then I expect you to answer him. I am not going to buckle under difficulties and will not run away from responsibility. I will continue only as long as you have faith in me. The moment you lose that faith, I will quit this post,” reported The Indian Express.
The crowd responded with chants urging him to remain at the helm of the party.
Turning his attention to the rebel parliamentarians, Thackeray apologised to voters represented by them and accused the MPs of betraying both the electorate and the legacy of his father, Balasaheb Thackeray.
“I apologise to the voters from the constituencies where these traitors won. They defeated Narendra Modi because of Balasaheb’s legacy and my support. These MPs are now backstabbing the voters,” he said.
Calling upon party workers to hold the rebels accountable, he added, “I asked you to ensure their victory. Why do you need another order to confront them? Do not lose your right to question those individuals. Go and confront them.”
Thackeray also launched a broader attack on the BJP, warning that the country was witnessing a dangerous drift towards authoritarianism.
“If things continue in this manner, we will have to come together and undertake Operation Lotus. The country is moving towards anarchy. What will be the future of a country where the youth are labelled as cockroaches? They (the BJP) are moving towards one party and no polls. But I have a small piece of advice for BJP: our Independence was not achieved by winning polls, but through the rebellion of youngsters,” he stated.
Amid speculation over a possible rapprochement or merger with the Congress, the Sena (UBT) chief firmly ruled out any such move.
“We stayed with the BJP for 30 years. We never became the BJP. What makes you think we will merge with the Congress? The situation is such that the Maharashtra BJP will merge with Mindhe (Eknath Shinde)… Shiv Sena is not going to merge with anyone…”
Reaffirming his commitment to his father's political legacy, he said, “I know that I, Uddhav Thackeray, am immaterial. But Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray is not.”
Before Thackeray's speech, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and Lok Sabha MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Vaze, the four parliamentarians who have remained with Sena (UBT), were felicitated at the gathering.
Thackeray asserted that, apart from these leaders, around 20 MLAs, several corporators and thousands of party workers had continued to stand by him.
The event was intended to send a message of unity and resilience as the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction confronts a fresh split that threatens to reshape Maharashtra’s political landscape.
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