Uddhav Thackeray Forms Unexpected Alliance in Maharashtra, Challenging Former BJP Allies

Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has formed a surprising alliance with the Congress and NCP (SP) parties in Maharashtra, directly challenging his former allies in the BJP. This move comes after Thackeray lost a significant number of MLAs to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by current Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is supported by the BJP.

The Uddhav Sena has secured 21 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance's seat-sharing arrangement, with the Congress getting 17 seats and Sharad Pawar's NCP allocated 10 seats. This unexpected alliance has positioned itself as the leading opposition force in Maharashtra ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Thackeray has redefined his party's Hindutva ideology as devotion to one's religion without the need to showcase it by targeting other communities. This stance has drawn support from various segments of society, including Muslims, Parsis, Dalits, and liberal Hindus. In contrast, the Eknath Shinde faction is struggling to establish a distinct vote bank, as it cannot outdo the BJP in terms of Hindutva politics and lacks the political stature of NCP leader Ajit Pawar to distance itself from extreme saffronisation.

Why this matters: The political realignment in Maharashtra has significant implications for the upcoming Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. The unexpected alliance between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP has the potential to reshape the political landscape and challenge the BJP's dominance in the state.

The Shiv Sena has traditionally enjoyed a strong support base among women, who have rallied around Uddhav Thackeray in the recent political turmoil. Shiv Sena supporters have expressed their loyalty to the Thackeray family, and there is a groundswell of support and sympathy for Uddhav Thackeray across Maharashtra. The rebel MLAs who joined the Eknath Shinde faction may face backlash from Shiv Sena supporters when they return to their constituencies.

Despite opposition from some Congress leaders and workers, the MVA alliance has remained united in supporting the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate in the Sangli Lok Sabha constituency. Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan stated that the party will follow the alliance dharma and back the MVA candidate, putting to rest any speculation of the Shiv Sena (UBT) withdrawing its candidate under Congress pressure.

As the competition for Maharashtra intensifies, the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections on June 4, 2024, will provide a clear indication of the political alignments ahead of the state assembly polls. The BJP is determined to marginalize the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to it as the "nakli" (fake) Shiv Sena. However, the Uddhav Sena appears to be putting

Key Takeaways

• Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) forms surprise alliance with Congress and NCP in Maharashtra.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) secures 21 of 48 Lok Sabha seats in MVA alliance, positioning as key opposition.
• Thackeray redefines Hindutva ideology, drawing support from diverse segments, unlike Shinde faction.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) enjoys strong women's support, rebel MLAs may face backlash from supporters.
• Lok Sabha polls in 2024 will indicate political alignments ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections.