Uddhav’s swearing-in stays true to Sena’s roots

Mumbai: The swearing-in ceremony on Thursday evening was a signature Shiv Sena event, given that the location was Dadar’s Shivaji Park, the party’s stomping ground for decades.

A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji under a saffron canopy was on display in the front of the stage.

Jubilant Shiv Sainiks dressed in saffron saris and kurtas broke into slogans of “Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji” and “Awaaz Konacha, Shiv Shiv Senecha” (Whose voice? Shiv Sena’s) throughout the event.


The entry of governor Koshyari was greeted with a blast of tutari, a trumpet used during Sena events.

After Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as the 19th chief minister of Maharashtra, fireworks erupted — another staple in Shiv Sena rallies.

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The acrimonious parting between Sena and BJP was reflected in the ceremony. Sections of the crowd jeered former CM Devendra Fadnavis and senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil. CM Uddhav Thackeray’s estranged cousin Raj was warmly greeted by the audience. Initially, he was seated in the second row but NCP leader Nawab Malik soon shifted him to the front row. With the ground packed with people and dotted with Sena, Congress and NCP flags, it became a show of strength for the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Uddhav’s wife Rashmi joined him in thanking leaders who went on stage to congratulate them after the ceremony.