Uddhav Thackeray has lost the “Real Sena” battle as the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde has gained recognition as the official Shiv Sena party. This development comes amid the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is set for a landslide victory, having crossed the 200-seat mark.¹

The Election Commission’s decision to recognize the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena party has dealt a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s claims of being the true heir to the Shiv Sena legacy. The Shinde faction has been allotted the bow and arrow symbol, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has been allotted a flaming torch as its electoral symbol.²

The Maharashtra Assembly elections have seen a fierce contest between the Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has made significant gains, with the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde performing well in several constituencies.

The outcome of the Maharashtra Assembly elections is expected to have significant implications for the state’s politics. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory is likely to consolidate the party’s position in the state, while the MVA alliance’s defeat may lead to a re-evaluation of its strategy and leadership.

In the midst of this political upheaval, Uddhav Thackeray’s loss of the “Real Sena” battle marks a significant turning point in the Shiv Sena’s history. The party’s legacy and ideology will likely continue to be contested by the rival factions, with the Shinde faction now holding the official recognition as the Shiv Sena party.