Desk | Mumbai

The long-standing rivalry between the two rival factions of Shiv Sena — Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) — has once again escalated into a fierce political confrontation. What began as a major split in 2022 has transformed into an ongoing war for control over the party’s original identity, symbol, and voter base in Maharashtra.

The latest round of tensions stems from multiple fronts including civic body elections, ideological accusations, and the long-pending Supreme Court case over the party name and the iconic ‘Bow and Arrow’ symbol. Both sides claim to be the true inheritors of Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy of Hindutva politics and Marathi pride.

Eknath Shinde, currently serving as Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahayuti alliance government alongside BJP, has positioned his faction as the one staying true to Balasaheb’s original ideology. Shinde’s camp frequently accuses Uddhav Thackeray of diluting the party’s aggressive Hindutva stand by aligning with secular parties like Congress and NCP in the now-defunct Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Shinde has repeatedly slammed Uddhav for opposing moves like the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a complete abandonment of Balasaheb’s principles.

On the other side, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) portrays Shinde as a “traitor” who engineered a split with the help of the BJP to topple the legitimate MVA government in 2022. Uddhav’s camp has been vocal in calling the Shinde group “duplicate” and has been aggressively contesting local elections against them. In several recent civic polls, including in Mumbai and other districts, direct contests between the two Senas have led to heated campaigns and occasional street-level clashes.

The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a crucial verdict on the symbol dispute, which both factions are watching anxiously. The outcome could significantly impact their organisational strength and ability to attract candidates and voters ahead of future elections. Shinde’s faction currently holds the official recognition and symbol in many contexts, but Uddhav’s group continues to challenge this legally and politically.

Tensions have often spilled onto the streets. Clashes between workers of both groups have been reported in places like Thane, Parbhani, and Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. From disputes over mayoral posts to control of party offices and even religious sites, the “Sena vs Sena” battle has become a regular feature of Maharashtra’s turbulent politics.

Political analysts suggest that the continuous infighting is weakening the overall Shiv Sena brand. While Shinde enjoys power as part of the ruling alliance, Uddhav is trying to rebuild his base by projecting himself as the victim of a conspiracy and a true son of Balasaheb. Both leaders are now focusing on the upcoming civic elections, where direct fights between the two factions are likely to test their real ground strength.

As the two Senas continue their bitter samna (confrontation), the people of Maharashtra are witnessing a family-political drama that shows no signs of ending soon. The final winner of this legacy war will not only decide the future of Shiv Sena but may also reshape the power equations in the state for years to come.