UBT Sena faces internal dissent after civic election setback

Months after losing the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to the BJP, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) appears to be facing internal strain, with senior leaders openly questioning party decisions and leadership style.

The latest flashpoint was the Rajya Sabha nomination. The leadership, led by Uddhav Thackeray, was keen to renominate Priyanka Chaturvedi for the lone opposition seat from Maharashtra, citing her role in articulating the party's position in the Upper House. However, a senior party MP opposed the move and is learnt to have secured backing from the Indian National Congress for Sharad Pawar, effectively isolating the UBT Sena.

Sources said the Thackeray leadership is displeased with the MP but is constrained from taking action.


Discontent appears to run deeper. Some Lok Sabha MPs have reportedly flagged concerns over the party's leadership, describing it as lacking dynamism and proactiveness. At the state level too, senior leader Bhaskar Jadhav publicly criticised the decision-making process, warning that the current approach could hurt the party's prospects in Maharashtra.