Mumbai, July 21, 2025 — In a pointed political statement, Shiv Sena deputy leader and former MP Sanjay Nirupam asserted that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is the “true torchbearer” of Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, distancing the Thackeray cousins — Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray — from the ideological roots of the Shiv Sena founder.
Speaking at a press conference, Nirupam criticized Uddhav for aligning with the Congress, a party he claimed stands ideologically opposed to Bal Thackeray’s principles. He also accused Raj Thackeray of adopting an “anti-Hindi and anti-Hindutva” stance, which he said contradicts the foundational philosophy of the Sena patriarch.
“The Thackeray brand was built on the convictions of Prabodhankar Thackeray and cemented by Balasaheb’s powerful leadership. But today’s Thackerays have abandoned those values — for power, for alliances, and for political survival,” Nirupam stated.
He further alleged that during the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), over 131 Marathi-medium schools were shut down, and contracts were awarded to non-Marathi contractors — actions he described as a betrayal of the Marathi manoos.
Nirupam praised Shinde for taking “bold, historic decisions” to promote Marathi language, culture, and identity, positioning him as the authentic symbol of Marathi pride. He also took a swipe at Aaditya Thackeray, saying the younger leader failed to preserve the family’s hold over the BMC and among legislators.
The remarks come amid renewed tensions between factions of the Shiv Sena and ahead of the upcoming BMC elections, where legacy politics and regional identity are expected to play a pivotal role.
