Not blood but ideology determines the heir, says Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday (June 19, 2026) alluded to further defections from the Shiv Sena UBT, saying what has happened so far is only a teaser. “The picture is yet to come,” he said. He was speaking at the 60th foundation day of Shiv Sena at NESCO Ground in Mumbai. Looking at Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray said the party belongs to Shiv Sainiks.

“The real heirs of Balasaheb Thackeray are my Shiv Sainiks. Succession is not determined by blood relations but by ideology. Shiv Sena is not a piece of land, it is an ideology of millions of people,” he said. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the duo fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream by building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and repealing Article 370 of the Constitution.

Mr. Shinde said that in the year which is Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth centenary year, Shiv Sena has become the second largest party in Maharashtra. He credited ordinary Shiv Sainiks for taking the retinue to every village. Targeting the UBT faction, he said those who are suggesting that certain parties tie up with the Congress should first think about their own declining strength.

Addressing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that wherever Rahul Gandhi goes, defeat follows.

Published – 20 Jun 2026 09:30 IST