Eknath Shinde’s rebellion in Shiv Sena is something Uddhav Thackrey or his die-hard loyalist Sanjay Raut cannot brush aside. It is significant because of the numbers. He has the support of 40 of the 55 elected Shiv Sena MLAs. That means 2/3rd of the party lawmakers are ready to break away from the father-son duo of Shiv Sena.
Now, even if Shiv Sena calls the rebellion as engineered by the Maharasthra BJP, it is clear that Uddhav Thackrey does not command the same loyalty from Shiv Seniks as his father Bal Thackrey did. He probably set a precedent when he chose to ally with NCP and Congress to become the chief minister of the MVA government.
Uddhav Thackrey didn’t stop there. He was too quick to elevate his son Aditya Thackrey to a cabinet minister. Anyone who slogged for Shiv Sena would have a disgruntle over his elevation in the party and the MVA government unless the person is a loud loyalist like Sanjay Raut.
Every political party seized by families must face these challenges, a revolt that will bring workers to assume roles and responsibilities, not fathers, sons, and grandsons. Uddhav’s failure can teach a lesson to other political families in the country who behave like kings and treat party workers like servitors.
Image Source: PTI