Bal Thackeray's Unmatched Legacy in Maharashtra Politics

Shiv Sena's firebrand leader, the late Bal Thackeray, was a towering figure in Maharashtra's political landscape. His exceptional combination of powerful oratory, strong leadership, decisive actions, and undeniable charisma shaped his influential persona. Despite lacking a prominent political background, Balasaheb founded the Shiv Sena and quickly captured the hearts of Maharashtra's people.

Balasaheb's approach to politics was fearless and carefree. Known throughout India as a politician who honoured his word and never worried about the consequences, he held a reputation as a generous, principled leader. However, his legacy and ideology seem to have been undermined by his son, Uddhav Thackeray.

While the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance remained intact, BJP leaders preserved this tradition. Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah once went to 'Matoshree' (Balasaheb's residence) for political negotiations. However, in 2019, Uddhav Thackeray broke the alliance with the BJP for power, tarnishing the prestige associated with Matoshree. Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray began holding meetings at various hotels to settle political equations, mingling with Congress and NCP members, and even appearing regularly at Silver Oak (Sharad Pawar's residence) morning, noon, and night. Uddhav also went to Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Balasaheb never compromised in such ways; his personal pride was always above political gain.

Uddhav's Alliance with Opponents

Balasaheb was a charismatic and generous leader with close friendships with many, including Sharad Pawar. However, he never let these friendships influence his politics. For him, friendship was one thing, and politics was another. Although Balasaheb and Pawar had co-founded a magazine, it was short-lived. When Supriya Sule entered politics, Balasaheb didn't field a candidate against her-a testament to his personal friendship with Pawar. Yet, Balasaheb never embraced Pawar or the NCP as a political ally.

Balasaheb often criticised the BJP, but he was steadfast in his ideological beliefs. Despite the Shiv Sena being out of power from 1999 to 2014, Balasaheb never sought alliances with the Congress or NCP, even though he could have partnered with Pawar to gain power. Uddhav, however, has taken actions completely contrary to Balasaheb's legacy. In his quest for the Chief Ministership, Uddhav allied with his political opponents, disregarding the people's mandate, and placed rejected parties in power. If Balasaheb were alive, he would never have allowed such a betrayal of public opinion.

Balasaheb was a staunch Hindu nationalist. His aggressive stance is evident in the editorial pieces of *Saamana* from the 1990s, with headlines like "If Shiv Sainiks were responsible for bringing down Babri Masjid, then I am proud of them" and "Hindus, Open Your Third Eye." In 1993, when one of the bomb blasts occurred outside the Shiv Sena headquarters in Mumbai, Balasaheb's anger was palpable towards anyone who betrayed India. He never compromised with such individuals for power. However, in a striking contrast, an accused individual from the blasts attended Uddhav's campaign, demonstrating a clear mockery of Balasaheb's ideology.

Campaign Against Prosecutor of Mumbai Blasts

The 1993 Mumbai blasts trial became infamous, with special prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam courageously fighting the case. Nikam successfully prosecuted numerous defendants, including Kasab. If Balasaheb had been alive, he would likely have sent Nikam to the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha as a reward for his services. However, Uddhav Thackeray campaigned against Nikam, supporting those who sought to defeat him in the Lok Sabha elections. This was an insult to the memories of every Mumbaikar who perished in terror attacks-something Balasaheb would never have tolerated.

Balasaheb ardently supported the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram Temple, and a Uniform Civil Code. The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance was built upon these pillars of Hindutva. Yet, Uddhav formed alliances with parties who oppose all three issues. Uddhav's politics over the past five years have epitomised "carrying the saffron flag while promoting anti-national ideologies"-a stance that would never have found favour with Balasaheb. The very leadership that was meant to fulfil Balasaheb's dreams is now, under Uddhav, deriding them, aligning with parties that mock those dreams.

Balasaheb once famously declared in an interview, "I will never let my organisation become Congress. The day my Shiv Sena becomes Congress, I will shut down shop." Today, Uddhav's ideology mirrors that of Congress. Congress leaders are now Uddhav's leaders; Congress policies have become Uddhav's policies. There remains not a shred of Balasaheb's ideology in Uddhav's leadership, which is now thoroughly Congress-influenced. Consequently, people have taken it upon themselves to fulfil Balasaheb's wish of "closing shop."