Uddhav Thackeray's Emotional Address Amid Shiv Sena Rebellion: Will He Step Down?

In a poignant address, Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), confronted the recent rebellion by six Lok Sabha MPs from his party. He expressed his willingness to resign if the party no longer supports him, emphasizing his commitment to the party's integrity. Thackeray's remarks came during the celebration of Shiv Sena's 60th foundation day, where he reassured supporters of his dedication despite facing numerous challenges. He criticized the rebel MPs for their concerns about a potential merger with Congress and defended his leadership against accusations of disconnect with party workers. As the political landscape in Maharashtra shifts, Thackeray's statements raise questions about the future direction of Shiv Sena and its role in the state's politics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2026, 23:00 IST

Thackeray's Resolve Amid Party Turmoil

In a heartfelt address in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed his determination to continue fighting despite facing significant challenges, particularly following a rebellion from six Lok Sabha MPs within his party. He stated that he would be willing to resign if the party no longer had confidence in his leadership.

Speaking at the event commemorating the 60th anniversary of Shiv Sena, Thackeray noted that he has led the party for over a decade and is prepared to step down if necessary, but he emphasized that he would not allow the party to fall into the hands of 'traitors.'

Thackeray reassured his supporters that he remains committed to the party and is not seeking power for its own sake. He mentioned that he has faced numerous personal attacks and challenges over the years.

He expressed his desire for the next leader to emerge from within the party ranks, stating, 'I would be happy if someone from the party ranks becomes the next Shiv Sena president, but I will not let it pass on in the hands of thieves.'

The former Chief Minister also addressed the absence of the rebel MPs at the event, highlighting that the remaining party members were energized rather than discouraged by the recent developments.

On Thursday, six out of nine Lok Sabha MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) defied a party directive by skipping an important parliamentary meeting in New Delhi. The MPs who did not attend included Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.

In contrast, the three MPs who did attend were Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje, along with Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, all of whom were honored at the foundation day celebration.

Thackeray criticized the rebel MPs for their concerns about a potential merger with the Congress party, asserting that if they did not merge with the BJP after 30 years of alliance, a merger with Congress was unlikely.

He apologized to voters for electing MPs who now seem poised to switch allegiances, and he defended his leadership style against critics who claim he is disconnected from party workers.

Thackeray reiterated that the Shiv Sena was founded to advocate for the rights of the Marathi people and uphold Hindutva, and he accepted the Chief Minister position in 2019 out of a sense of duty after the BJP's betrayal.

He resigned as CM in June 2022 following a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde, now the Deputy Chief Minister. Thackeray warned that the country is heading towards a 'one party, no election' scenario, which threatens democracy.

He accused the BJP of engaging in 'politics of engineering defections' to consolidate power and called for a campaign to protect democratic institutions.