Shivsena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav. File | Photo credit: Emmanuel Yogini
Eknath Shinde must show courage to support Uddhava Thackeray in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav said on Thursday (January 22, 2026), sparking a controversy.
“This is the birth centenary year of Balasaheb Thackeray. It is the right time for the saffron Sena flag to fly at the BMC. Balasaheb’s dream was to see a Sena mayor. Eknath Shinde may like to stay in power at the Center and in the state with the BJP, but he must support Uddhava Thackeray in The BMC.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has 65 seats in BMC. Eknath Shinde has 29 seats. The magic figure for power in BMC is 114.
“He has to show that courage. If I were Eknath Shinde, I would bear anything to go back to Uddhav Thackeray and support him. I would pay any price for this step. I would say that for the ideas of Balasaheb Thackeray, any suffering is acceptable,” he said.
He challenged Mr. Shinde and said that if he considers himself a true Shiv Sainik, he should stand behind Mr. Thackeray.
When asked about this, Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC said, “This ship sailed on the same day in 2019 when Uddhav Thackeray gave up Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology to sit in Congress, NCP. I don’t think they should remember that moment.”
The Shiv Sena was split vertically after Eknath Shinde revolted along with 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, bringing down the then Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2022. He joined the BJP to form the government in Maharashtra. Since the split, the parties have waged a bitter court battle over ownership of the true heir to the party’s name and symbol. Eknath Shinde has since fought every election as an ally of the BJP. The BJP has identified him as a natural ally.
Published – 22 Jan 2026 22:53 IST
