Uddhav Thackeray: Will the nice guy of Maharashtra politics finish first?

Uddhav Thackeray

Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing an existential crisis. While the official name and party symbol has gone to the rival Eknath Shinde group, Uddhav Thackeray is paradoxically banking upon his father Bal Thackeray's legacy and Muslim votes to survive in the electoral politics. Over the years, Uddhav has carved out a distinct identity, navigating challenges that have tested his resilience and vision. Let's have a look at his political career.

Entry into politics

Born in 1960, Uddhav was initially drawn to wildlife photography, a passion he pursued academically at Mumbai's JJ School of Arts. He is the youngest of the three sons of Bal Thackeray.

Despite his soft-spoken and introverted demeanor, he stepped into politics under the mentorship of his father, Bal Thackeray, who envisioned him as the successor to the Shiv Sena—a party founded in 1966 to champion the rights of Maharashtra’s "Marathi manoos."

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While Uddhav was chosen for his father’s legacy, his path was not without challenges. His cousin, Raj Thackeray, known for his fiery oratory and charisma, was also seen as a potential heir. The rivalry between the cousins became evident, with Raj embodying the aggressive traits of Bal Thackeray and Uddhav taking a more subdued and pragmatic approach.

Rise to leadership

Uddhav formally entered Shiv Sena's leadership in 2003 when he was appointed as the party's working president during a conference in Mahabaleshwar. Notably, the announcement was made by Raj himself, signaling attempts to project unity despite underlying tensions. Over time, Uddhav consolidated his hold over the party, sidelining rivals, including Raj, who left in 2006 to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Under Uddhav’s leadership, the Shiv Sena evolved from its parochial Marathi-centric identity to a more inclusive platform. He launched initiatives like Mee Mumbaikar to reach out to people of diverse backgrounds and communities, moving the party away from divisive politics.

Challenges and conflicts

Uddhav's tenure has not been without strife. Early on, he faced challenges from senior leaders like Narayan Rane, who criticized his leadership style, alleging favoritism and sidelining of loyalists. Rane was eventually expelled and joined the Congress. Raj's departure was another significant setback, leading to a split in the party’s voter base. MNS emerged as a competitor, particularly in the 2009 elections, where it cut into Shiv Sena’s Marathi vote bank.

Despite these internal conflicts, Uddhav solidified his position by leading the party to multiple victories in Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in 2007, 2012, and 2017.

Relationship with BJP and shift in strategy

Historically, the Shiv Sena maintained an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since the 1980s. However, under Uddhav, this relationship became increasingly strained. The turning point came in 2019 when, after a successful alliance in the assembly elections, Uddhav demanded the Chief Minister's post, citing a 50-50 power-sharing agreement. BJP’s refusal led to the Shiv Sena severing ties and forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

This move was a significant departure from the Shiv Sena's Hindutva roots, as the alliance was based on a common minimum program emphasizing secularism. Critics viewed this coalition as opportunistic, but Uddhav defended it as a necessity for the party’s survival.

Tenure as CM

In November 2019, Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, marking his first direct role in governance. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was widely appreciated, as he prioritized public health over political considerations. Uddhav’s tenure, however, faced challenges, including ideological clashes within the coalition and external pressures from the BJP.

The Thackeray government hit a turbulent patch when the Antilia case was exposed. Sachin Waze, a former Shiv Sainik and Uddhav's close police officer was arrested as the prime accused of the case.

Betrayal and loss of power

In June 2022, Uddhav faced a rebellion within his party led by senior leader Eknath Shinde. Over forty of the 56 MLAs and 12 out of 18 MPs joined the Shinde camp. This led to Uddhav’s resignation as Chief Minister and the loss of the party’s iconic bow-and-arrow symbol. The crisis was a turning point, highlighting the fragility of his position within the party.

Road ahead

At 64, Uddhav remains a key figure in Maharashtra’s politics, leading the opposition alliance and striving to rebuild his party’s strength. Known for his gentlemanly demeanor, he stands in contrast to his father’s aggressive style. His leadership reflects a blend of tradition and adaptability, striving to balance the Shiv Sena's legacy with the demands of a changing political landscape.

CM face of the MVA?

It is no secret that Uddhav Thackeray aspires to become CM again. However, he will get the chance to occupy the hotseat only if the MVA alliance wins enough number of seats to claim majority in legislative assembly and his party emerges as the largest one within the alliance. The Shiv Sena (UBT) wanted the MVA alliance to announce the face of its CM candidate before the polls, but the Congress opposed it. There are contenders in the Congress party too, like Nana Patole and Balasaheb Thorat, who want to be the Chief Minister.