Latest news with #Balasaheb
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who played the ‘band' for the ‘brand'?
Keshav Upadhye, a young, dynamic and prominent face, has been working with the Bharatiya Janata Party for over two decades. In 2014, the then state president Devendra Fadnavis had appointed Upadhye as the spokesperson in his team. Owing to his journalistic background and better understanding of the socio-economic issues of the state, Upadhye made a mark as a spokesperson in a short span. He articulates the views of the party and aggressively defends the party on various platforms including the Marathi and Hindi national news channels. Keshav Upadhye worked for the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and after completing his degree in Journalism from Ranade Institute, Pune, he began his career as a journalist with daily Pudhari, Loksatta and Mumbai Tarun Bharat. Knowing the pulse of the news, he writes on varied topics and on various platforms like the newspapers, blogs and other social media platforms. He was involved in two study groups formed by the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini in 2006 to study the naxalite movement and its adverse impact on the development of Chhatisgarh. The Prabodhini later published this report. He was also a part of the Prabodhini's fact-finding committee formed to study the Solapur riots. LESS ... MORE Former ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray, recently stated in an interview given to his party mouthpiece that some bands are orchestrating to end the 'Thackeray brand'. UBT seems to have a great fondness for issuing sarcastic so-called quips. And only he believes his quips are sharp, meaningful, and clever. In pursuit of this habit, he has now paired the word 'brand' with 'band' attempting a play on words. Recently, during a unity gathering held in the name of Marathi pride, the same UBT made a rather baffling statement saying, 'Devendra Fadnavis lifted the wedding veil between us,' trying to imply a newfound closeness. However, this statement left many people stunned. To use such a metaphor at an event centered around Marathi identity and saying that the wedding curtain between the brothers has been lifted to describe political reconciliation, only demonstrated that UBT urgently needs a Marathi professor to guide their so-called linguistic enlightenment. Anyway, the main point is about this self-proclaimed 'brand' of UBT. The revered Balasaheb Thackeray was a truly iconic brand. This 'brand' was created due to the fearless, outspoken nature of Venerable Balasaheb and his attitude of never compromising with Hindutva. In the 1980s, Venerable Balasaheb strongly advocated Hindutva and expanded Shiv Sena's reach across Maharashtra. In the backdrop of all these incidents, such as the Ram Mandir movement, the Karseva in Ayodhya and the subsequent riots in Mumbai, and the 1993 bomb blasts, Venerable Balasaheb's 'brand' of fiery Hindutva rose to prominence. In the wake of this powerful brand, the false secularism of the Congress was thoroughly exposed. Hinduism was the common thread in the alliance between Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena. The fearless stand taken by Venerable Balasaheb during the Mumbai riots of 1992-1993 was revealed in the then issue of 'Saamana'. In 1995, the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government came to power. For the success of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, venerable Balasaheb had travelled across Maharashtra and created a stir through public meetings. Mr. Uddhav Rao became active in the organization built by his father with great effort after 1995-1996. While Venerable Balasaheb was fighting for the establishment of Shiv Sena and the just rights of the Marathi people, Uddhav Rao was not even active in Shiv Sena. In 2002-2003, Uddhav Rao took over the reins of the organization. Since then, Shiv Sena's influence began to wane. Balasaheb's 'Thackeray brand' was created because of his credibility. After 1996, the Bharatiya Janata Party formed the National Democratic Alliance. Many regional parties across the country participated in it. Balasaheb never obstructed the BJP leadership for power at the Centre. Once Balasaheb gave a word, he would not go back on it. Despite being a constituent party of the National Democratic Alliance in the 2007 and 2012 Presidential elections, Venerable Balasaheb publicly supported Mrs. Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee. Despite taking a stand against the Bharatiya Janata Party, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance remained intact. This was because Balasaheb had very clearly conveyed his position regarding supporting Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee to the BJP leadership. When Venerable Balasaheb was alive, he sometimes had differences with the BJP leadership over the distribution of seats in elections. However, Balasaheb also had the policy of not escalating these differences until they were resolved. Against this backdrop, what do we see when we look at Uddhav Thackeray's political career? Since the 2004 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, all the party's elements have converged on UBT. From 1990 to 2004, BJP-Shiv Sena used to campaign jointly in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Workers of both parties used to hold joint rallies. Uddhav Thackeray stopped this practice and showed that he lacked political wisdom. Since then, the downward spiral of Shiv Sena began. In 2005, a figure like Narayan Rane decided to separate from Shiv Sena. In 2005, Raj Thackeray also left Shiv Sena. UBT was the reason for both of them leaving Shiv Sena. In 2009, under the leadership of UBT, Shiv Sena had contested more than 160 seats but had won only 44 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party had contested 117 seats and won 46 seats. In that election, UBT's Shiv Sena received 16 percent votes and the BJP 14 percent. After taking over the reins of Shiv Sena, Uddhav Rao had damaged the relations with the BJP leadership. Only out of respect for the venerable Balasaheb, the BJP leadership never spoke publicly about these issues. In 2014, UBT ended the long-standing alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the assembly elections over 15-20 seats. He continued to criticize the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party in an indecent manner even after the alliance had ended. Despite tolerating this behavior, the BJP leadership, in the interest of Hindutva, extended a proposal for cooperation with the Shiv Sena. Accepting that proposal, Uddhav Thackeray joined the state government, yet continued to take a stance against both the BJP leadership and the central and state governments. Balasaheb never showed such double standards during his lifetime. That is why his 'Thackeray brand' had value. Despite contesting the elections together in 2019, UBT betrayed the Bharatiya Janata Party after the assembly elections and grabbed power in the state. UBT, under the illusion that this power would last a lifetime, had to give up the post of Chief Minister in two and a half years. Rather than anyone else orchestrating the band, it is UBT himself who will go down in history as the destroyer of the Thackeray. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HC dismisses pleas against Bal Thackeray memorial
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed several petitions challenging the decision of the Maharashtra government to set up a memorial to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on the site of the old Mayor's bungalow at Shivaji Park, Dadar. The government had decided to erect a memorial – the Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak Memorial – in honour of Thackeray in view of his contributions to the political landscape of the state, particularly in Mumbai. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo) The government had decided to erect a memorial – the Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak Memorial – in honour of Thackeray in view of his contributions to the political landscape of the state, particularly in Mumbai. Accordingly, a committee was set up in December 2014 to scout for land for the memorial, generate funds and make recommendations for the memorial. In May 2015, the committee submitted it had considered eight different sites and decided that the Mayor's bungalow was the most suitable place for the memorial. Although the land would continue to be owned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, it would be leased to a public trust set up to build and oversee the memorial for a period of 30 years, on payment of a nominal rent of ₹ 1 per year. The government issued a resolution on September 27, 2016, approving the recommendations. Subsequently, the resolution was challenged and amendments were carried out. The plot, reserved for the Mayor's bungalow, fell under the Green Zone in the Development Control Regulations of 1991. It was re-zoned as 'residential use' under the Development Plan 2034. Challenging these decisions were several petitions filed in the Bombay High Court in 2017, highlighting the allocation of a ₹ 100-crore budget for the memorial. They contended that the money could have been used for other, important, purposes. On re-zoning the land from 'Green Zone' to 'Residential Zone' without prior public notification or consultation, senior advocate Sunip Sen, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted that the change of use of the Mayor's bungalow had been effected in gross violation of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 (MRTP Act). He further stated that there had been an illegal conversion of the municipal gymkhana (municipal house), a public amenity and historically accessible to public use, which could not be reserved for the residence of the Mayor. Senior advocate Dr Uday Warunjikar, representing another petitioner, submitted that the entire decision-making process for the memorial at the Mayor's bungalow 'suffered from gross arbitrariness and irrationality'. 'The site chosen for the memorial as well as the manner in which the trust had been formed was 'clearly illegal'. 'Therefore, the actions taken by the authorities for setting up the memorial at the site should be set aside,' he added. Opposing the court's intervention, additional government pleader Jyoti Chavan contended that the establishment of the memorial was in the realm of policy decision. She told the court that the provisions of the MRTP Act had been observed while making amendments to the Development Plan. 'The decision to set up the memorial has been taken in the interest of a larger section of the society considering the contribution of late Balasaheb Thackeray during his lifetime,' she stated. Upholding the state's decision, the division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne said that the re-zoning of the land failed to reflect any procedural impropriety. 'Any piece of land in the city of Mumbai is bound to be valuable and therefore it is not for this court to decide which land needs to be chosen for setting up of the memorial,' the court stated. It observed that the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) had cleared the project to proceed with the usage of the land, which fell under the CRZ-II zone. Therefore, there is no violation of environmental norms in setting up the memorial, the court ruled. The bench highlighted that work on the memorial was virtually complete, and there had been no disturbance to the heritage significance of the bungalow. 'This could be yet another reason for this court not to interfere in the decisions and actions,' the bench added. Since it found no grounds to challenge the state's decision and actions with regard to the memorial, the court dismissed the petitions.
India Gazette
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Loud voice of Marathi people means Shiv Sena": Eknath Shinde lauds party's progress, slams Uddhav Thackeray
Mumbai (Mahrashtra) [India], June 20 (ANI): Hailing Shiv Sena's progress Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the party means 'loud voice' for the Marathi people. He mentioned that the party has faced many challenges in the past 59 years, but has kept growing like a 'banyan tree'. Eknath Shinde was addressing a gathering in Mumbai on Thursday, on the occasion of Shiv Sena Foundation Day. 'This rally is based on Balasaheb's ideas. The other one is about people who are greedy for power. The loud voice of Marathi people means Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena means self-respect, pride, bow and arrow, and our life. In 59 years, Shiv Sena has faced many challenges. The banyan tree of Balasaheb's ideas kept growing; this Shiv Sena is increasing nationwide. Yesterday, the heads of seven states came. Shiv Sena is growing. Many people have to join Shiv Sena', the Maharashtra Deputy CM said. The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister hit out at the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and stated that in 2014, Shiv Sena contested 282 seats and had a strike rate of 22 per cent; however, the party ended up winning 60 out of 80 seats in the 2024 elections. Shinde said whatever, the seats Shiv Sena (UBT) won were because of Congress' 'mercy'. 'In 2014, Shiv Sena contested 282 seats and had a strike rate of 22%. In 2024, it contested 80 seats and won 60 seats. They did not even get 1/3 of the votes of our Shiv Sena. The seats it won were at the mercy of Congress', Eknath Shinde added. Slamming Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde said that his 'arrogance' is leading him to 'destruction.' Shinde said that Maharashtra has never seen such a 'treacherous person' and alleged that he betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray's ' ideas.' 'Arrogance is leading them to destruction. Maharashtra is witness to this. We know who committed the sin of tying Congress around their neck. He was helpless for power and tied his head around his waist. He betrayed Balasaheb's ideas. Maharashtra has never seen such a treacherous person', Eknath Shinde added. (ANI)
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
59th foundation day of Sena: Shinde sounds BMC poll bugle, says Uddhav Sena looted Mumbai treasury
Sounding the poll bugle for the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena UBT, which ruled the civic body for over two decades, of looting it and now invoking the 'fight for Mumbai' campaign for 'political gain'. Shinde was referring to Sena UBT MLA and former minister Aaditya Thackeray's recently launched 'ladha Mumbai cha' (fight for Mumbai) campaign. He was speaking at the event to mark the 59th foundation day of Shiv Sena in Worli. 'Just like a demon's life is tied to a parrot, their lifeline is the BMC treasury, and hence they now remember Mumbai and fight for Mumbai, and are making baseless claims of plot to break Mumbai from Maharashtra,' Shinde said, alluding to the Sena UBT. He added, 'Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra. No matter who comes or even if seven generations descend, no one can separate it from the state.' Reaffirming his allegiance to Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology and referring to the foundation day event of Sena UBT, Shinde said, 'Ours is a gathering of principles, theirs is one of desperation for power. We have preserved Balasaheb's vision, and that's why Shiv Sena is charging ahead.' Taking a dig at Uddhav, Shinde said, 'Even a chameleon takes time to change colour — not these people. Balasaheb once gave up his voting rights for Hindutva but never compromised. Today, those claiming to be his heirs have sold themselves for power.' Referring to Uddhav's remark during the foundation day event of Sena UBT, Shinde said, 'What's the point of hitting someone politically dead? Maharashtra has already killed you in polls.' Recalling a dialogue from the film Prahaar, Thackeray said during a rally, 'Like Nana Patekar in the film, I am standing before these traitors and telling them, Come on, kill me.' 'You were in power all these years, looting the treasury, playing with Mumbaikars' health, and now you remember the Mumbai fight?' he asked. On ongoing investigations into the Mithi River desilting scam, Shinde warned, 'One person(actor Dino Morea) is already being probed — if he starts speaking, many will fall like dominoes. No one will escape the crocodile grip of the Mithi River.' 'Get ready to win,' he told party workers. 'The saffron flag of Mahayuti will fly high over municipal corporations, councils, and village panchayats.' During his address, Shinde announced the launch of a new campaign titled 'Dowry-free Maharashtra' to protect the women facing dowry harrassment. The initiative, spearheaded by Sena's women's wing, comes in the wake of the tragic death of Vaishnavi Hagwane in Pune, allegedly due to dowry harassment. 'Like the daughters of Maharashtra, daughter-in-laws are also like my own sisters. This campaign will begin at Anand Ashram in Thane and expand across the state. Every Sena Shakha will become a second home for women facing dowry-related abuse,' Shinde said. Earlier in the day, Shinde Sena mocked Uddhav Sena for celebrating the party's foundation day, claiming the Sena UBT came into existence only three years ago and should celebrate its foundation day on October 10, 2022, when the Election Commission granted it the name and mashal as its poll symbol.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uddhav is desperate for power, changes colours like chameleon: Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday dubbed his rival and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray as a "betrayer", accusing him of being desperate for power and changing colours like a chameleon. Speaking at the 59th Foundation Day of the party, he said while self-confidence led him and his party to success, Thackeray's ego led him to his destruction. He also taunted Thackeray, saying he was eager to have an alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. "He is so desperate that he is seeking alliances," he said in a veiled reference to the possibility of Sena (UBT)'s alliance with the MNS led by Uddhav's estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. Also Read | Question mark over the future of MVA amid talks of new alliances Shinde said the ruling Shiv Sena functioned on the ideology of party founder Bal Thackeray, while the other side was desperate for power. ''We have the Shiv Sena bow and arrow symbol and people's support. We have protected Balasaheb's ideology,'' he said. He said the Sena (UBT) did not even get one third of the votes polled by his Shiv Sena in the 2024 assembly polls. "Whatever votes they got were because of the Congress as the real Shiv Sena voters have bid them good bye,'' he said. Shinde said he has self-confidence, while the other side has ego. "Self-confidence has give us success, while ego has led to their destruction. Balasaheb opposed Congress, but those desperate for power aligned with that party. Sena (UBT) has betrayed Marathi people, Shiv Sena voters and Hindutva,'' he alleged. Also Read | Uddhav rallies Shiv Sena (UBT) cadre for BMC polls, pitches 'Marathi pride' Shinde said he has never seen a "betrayer'' like Uddhav Thackeray, who changes colours very easily like a chameleon as he wants only money. "Those who are helpless for power cannot be Balasaheb's heirs," he said. The deputy CM said he will never compromise on Hindutva for power. "They consider BMC as golden goose. Mumbai and its importance is not under threat, but their politics and finances will come under threat as their soul is in the BMC treasury, while our soul is Hindutva. There will be no compromise on it,'' he said. Is Hindutva a T-shirt that you can wear or remove any time, he asked, referring to Thackeray's statement that he has not quit Hindutva. "Why do you hesitate to call Balasaheb as Hindu Hriday Samrat (emperor of Hindu hearts). You join hands with those who abuse (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and (Union minister Amit) Shah, who fulfilled Balasaheb's dream of Ram temple and abrogation of Article 370, and with those who abuse Savarkar and Hindu religion,'' he said. He also mocked Uddhav Thackeray's ''kill me" remark and said mere talk is not enough. "You need a tiger's heart and strength in your wrist. How can we kill someone who is already dead? People of the state have already finished them in the assembly provoke me. If someone does that, I don't leave them. I have already upturned your horse carriage and taken away your horses," he said. Shinde questioned why Thackeray did not visit the families of the tourists killed in the Pahalgam attack. "Where were you? Where was your patriotism and love for Marathi that time?" he asked. After Operation Sindoor, Balasaheb would have praised PM Modi, whereas the Congress was questioning the armed forces and abusing him, he alleged. "Are you an Indian or a Pakistani agent? Pakistan uses your statements against India. Rahul Gandhi has become a hero in Pakistan but is a zero in India," he said. Shinde praised his son and Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde and Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora for being part of the all-party delegation after Operation Sindoor. Just like the Ladki Bahin scheme, the party has launched a Ladki Soon (daughter-in-law) scheme and it will fight for women facing domestic abuse, he said. He said 50 former corporators of the undivided Shiv Sena have joined his party. "We will fight to win the local body elections. Decision on alliance will be taken at appropriate time," he said. "Balasaheb's ideology is our wealth," he said. Shinde asked his supporters not to get carried away by the assembly election results. "Get ready to win the local body elections," he said.
