Mumbai’s political landscape has always revolved around one powerful symbol—the roaring tiger of the Shiv Sena. For decades, the party shaped Maharashtra’s politics through aggressive regionalism, charismatic leadership, and later, Hindutva. Today, however, the tiger stands divided. The Shiv Sena is no longer a single political force but two rival factions fighting over the same legacy, symbol, and voter base. This raises a crucial question: Is Shiv Sena declining, or is it reinventing itself?

The Rise of the Marathi Manoos Movement – A War Cry For The Sons Of The Soil

The origins of Shiv Sena lie in the socio-economic conditions of Mumbai during the 1960s. Many Marathi-speaking youth believed they were being sidelined in employment and business by migrant communities. Through his weekly publication Marmik, launched in 1960, Bal Thackeray highlighted issues such as unemployment, migration, and the neglect of Marathi interests. The publication became the ideological foundation of the movement.

On 19 June 1966, Thackeray formally established Shiv Sena. Named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the party demanded greater employment opportunities for locals, promotion of the Marathi language, and protection of Maharashtra’s cultural identity. Its first public rally at Shivaji Park attracted an enormous gathering and marked the beginning of a powerful regional movement.

From Regionalism to Hindutva – Rise Of A Saffron Storm

During its early years, Shiv Sena focused primarily on Marathi identity and the “sons of the soil” movement. It campaigned for Marathi signboards, local employment, and regional pride. However, by the 1980s, the party gradually shifted towards Hindutva, aligning itself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This transformation expanded Shiv Sena’s political reach beyond regional issues. The party strongly supported the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, advocated Hindu unity, and adopted an aggressive nationalist position on issues such as Kashmir, Pakistan, and terrorism. While this broadened its electoral appeal, it also made the party a central participant in India’s increasingly polarized political landscape.Shiv Sena’s growth was accompanied by controversy. Its aggressive methods—including street protests, vandalism, moral policing, and confrontational politics—earned criticism from opponents who accused it of encouraging vigilantism. The party was also strongly criticized for its role during the 1992–93 Mumbai riots, with the Srikrishna Commission naming several leaders for allegedly inciting communal violence.

At the same time, the Sena built a strong grassroots network through local shakhas, making it highly accessible to ordinary citizens. It also developed influence beyond politics by supporting Marathi literature, theatre, cinema, and even sections of Bollywood. Bal Thackeray cultivated close relationships with prominent artists, filmmakers, and sports personalities, strengthening the party’s cultural presence across Maharashtra.

Leadership Under Bal Thackeray

Balasaheb Thackeray’s leadership style was unique. Although he never held elected office, he exercised immense political influence through his charisma, sharp oratory, and centralized decision-making. Often described as the party’s “remote control,” he inspired extraordinary loyalty among party workers while projecting himself as the protector of Marathi identity and Hindu interests.

This personal leadership model proved highly successful during his lifetime but also meant that the party’s identity became deeply intertwined with the Thackeray family.

The Turning Point – The 2019 Alliance

A major transformation occurred after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Despite contesting alongside the BJP, disagreements over power sharing led Shiv Sena to sever ties with its long-time ally. Uddhav Thackeray formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Indian National Congress.

The alliance surprised many observers because it brought together parties with contrasting ideological positions. While the coalition emphasized governance and development through a Common Minimum Programme, critics argued that it diluted Shiv Sena’s traditional Hindutva identity.

The 2022 Split and Birth of Two Shiv Senas

Political instability reached its peak in June 2022 when senior leader Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray. Supported by a majority of Shiv Sena MLAs and backed by the BJP, Shinde became Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

The Election Commission later recognized the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena, awarding it the party name and the iconic “Bow and Arrow” symbol. Uddhav Thackeray’s faction retained the name “Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)” with the “Flaming Torch” symbol.

This split fundamentally changed Maharashtra’s political landscape. Instead of one united regional force, two rival Shiv Senas emerged, each claiming to represent Balasaheb’s vision.

Operation Tiger

The BJP-Shinde alliance, popularly known as Mahayuti, was further strengthened when a faction of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar joined the government.By 2026, political observers began referring to a series of defections from the Uddhav camp as “Operation Tiger.” Rather than a single rebellion, it appeared to be a sustained strategy aimed at weakening the Thackeray faction by attracting influential leaders.A major setback came on 30 June 2026, when senior leader Sachin Ahir, once regarded as a close associate of Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray, filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council under the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde.For the Uddhav faction, Ahir’s departure symbolized the continuing erosion of organisational strength. Senior leader Sanjay Raut publicly criticized the defections, but the incident reinforced perceptions that the Shinde-BJP alliance remained successful in expanding its influence.

Decline or Reinvention?

Whether Shiv Sena is declining depends on perspective. Organisationally, the original unified party no longer exists. Its vote base, leadership, and cadre have been divided, creating intense competition between the two factions.

Yet this fragmentation does not necessarily signal political extinction. Instead, it may represent a process of reinvention. The Shinde faction seeks to modernize the party while maintaining its Hindutva identity within the BJP-led alliance. The Uddhav faction attempts to preserve the emotional and historical legacy associated with the Thackeray family while adapting to coalition politics.

Ultimately, both factions continue to compete for the same ideological space, electoral support, and claim over Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.

Conclusion

The Shiv Sena’s journey mirrors Maharashtra’s evolving political history—from regional identity and Marathi pride to Hindutva, coalition politics, and internal fragmentation. The greatest challenge facing the party today is not simply electoral competition but the struggle over its identity.

Whether the future belongs to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena or the Uddhav Thackeray faction will ultimately be decided by the people of Maharashtra. Until then, the tiger continues to roar—but the debate over which roar truly represents Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy remains unresolved.