Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah cannot decide who leads the Shiv Sena party.
The dispute over the party's identity remains a central conflict in Maharashtra politics. This latest exchange highlights the deep divide between the Thackeray-led faction and the rival camp led by Eknath Shinde, which is supported by the central government.
Speaking in Mumbai on June 2, 2026 [1], Thackeray responded to a previous remark by Shah regarding the existence of "One Shiv Sena." Thackeray said, "There is only one Shiv Sena, headed by me" [2]. He said, "You can't decide Shiv Sena chief" [3].
The friction stems from Amit Shah's implication that the Shinde-led faction represents the legitimate entity of the party. Thackeray rejected this premise, asserting that his leadership is the only authentic one.
Thackeray also addressed those who left his faction to join the Shinde camp. He said the "traitors" should be thanked for rejuvenating the party workers [4].
This public confrontation occurs as both factions continue to vie for the loyalty of the party's base and the legal right to the party name and symbol. The rhetoric underscores a refusal to accept the legitimacy of the split, with Thackeray positioning himself as the sole rightful heir to the party's legacy.
“"There is only one Shiv Sena, headed by me."”
The clash between Uddhav Thackeray and Amit Shah reflects a broader struggle for political legitimacy in Maharashtra. By directly challenging the Union Home Minister, Thackeray is signaling that he will not accept a state- or center-mandated definition of the party's leadership, framing the Shinde faction as an illegitimate breakaway rather than a legal successor.
