Eknath Shinde’s landslide win in the Maharashtra Assembly elections has reshaped the Shiv Sena’s future. With a 69% strike rate and welfare-driven governance, Shinde has firmly positioned himself as the rightful heir to Bal Thackeray’s legacy, leaving Uddhav Thackeray struggling to keep up.
By PC Bureau
The Maharashtra Assembly election results have delivered a dramatic verdict in the Sena vs Sena saga, tilting the scales decisively in Eknath Shinde’s favor. Only weeks ago, a man interrupted Shinde’s convoy, branding him a gaddar (traitor). Today, Shinde has turned the tables with a political gadar (upheaval), leading his faction to victory in 56 of the 81 seats it contested—a staggering 69% strike rate.
In comparison, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) struggled to find its footing, securing leads in just 23 of 95 constituencies, with a dismal strike rate of 24%. For now, at least, the verdict on who carries forward Bal Thackeray’s legacy seems clear, with Shinde’s grassroots-driven leadership outshining Uddhav’s coalition-dependent approach.
This triumph builds on Shinde’s earlier success in the Lok Sabha elections, where his faction secured seven out of 15 seats, a 46% strike rate, outperforming Uddhav’s nine wins from 21 contests. But the Assembly victory feels more personal—proof that Shinde’s gamble in splitting the Shiv Sena has paid off spectacularly.
Shinde’s ascendancy owes much to his populist governance, marked by high-impact welfare schemes. His Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides monthly financial aid to 25 million underprivileged women, has been a game-changer, with the guaranteed amount recently increased to ₹2,100. Add to this a slew of measures like free LPG refills, pilgrimages for senior citizens, and professional education for women, and it’s clear why his faction is resonating with voters.
The contrast with Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) could not be starker. Shinde, aligning with the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, has anchored his message in the Shiv Sena’s Hindutva roots. Uddhav, meanwhile, has allied with Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, a strategy that some say alienates the party’s traditional base. At rallies, Shinde hasn’t held back, dismissing Uddhav’s flaming torch symbol as a force of division. “They call it revolutionary, but it sets homes ablaze and divides communities,” Shinde said, striking a chord with those who see him as the more authentic heir to the Sena’s ideology.
Few expected Shinde to survive, let alone thrive, after his dramatic 2022 split from the Shiv Sena and alliance with the BJP. Many wrote his political obituary then. But his welfare-driven leadership and hands-on governance have not only silenced critics but also positioned him as a key Maratha leader in Maharashtra’s evolving political landscape.
Even within the Mahayuti alliance, where the BJP remains the dominant player, Shinde has earned his stripes. With Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis publicly backing him as the alliance’s chief ministerial face, Shinde has solidified his standing as an indispensable ally. The Mahayuti is leading in over 200 seats, with the BJP alone surpassing its 2019 tally by leading in 120-plus constituencies. Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, too, has made gains, leading in 35 seats—far better than its Lok Sabha performance.
This election marks a defining moment for Shinde, transforming him from gaddar to hakdaar (rightful claimant) of the Shiv Sena’s legacy. For now, at least, Maharashtra politics has a new protagonist—and his name is Eknath Shinde.
