Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh said that the founder of the Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Thackeray, never taught cowardice or backstabbing [1, 2].
The comments come amid ongoing political instability in Maharashtra, where factions of the Shiv Sena continue to clash over party loyalty and leadership. The tension highlights the fragility of political alliances when faced with federal investigations and financial incentives.
Singh directed his criticism toward members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) who he said were considering defecting to the Eknath Shinde faction [1, 2]. He said that some members are acting out of fear regarding potential investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate, and police [1, 2].
According to Singh, the pressure to switch sides is not only based on fear but also on financial gain. He said that 15 crore rupees [1] was allegedly offered to members of parliament to facilitate a split in the party.
"Balasaheb never taught backstabbing," Singh said [1].
Singh suggested that the willingness of some members to leave the party under pressure contradicts the legacy of the Shiv Sena's founder. He said that the current political climate is being used to intimidate legislators into abandoning their ideological commitments [1, 2].
The Aam Aadmi Party's intervention in the internal disputes of the Shiv Sena (UBT) underscores the complex web of opposition politics in India. By invoking the memory of Balasaheb Thackeray, Singh said the defection was a moral failure rather than a strategic political move [1, 2].
“"Balasaheb never taught cowardice."”
This incident illustrates the high-stakes environment of Indian state politics, where the threat of federal agency probes is frequently cited as a tool for inducing party defections. By publicly addressing the Shiv Sena (UBT) through the lens of their founder's legacy, the Aam Aadmi Party is attempting to solidify its position within the opposition bloc and prevent further fragmentation of its allies.
