Uddhav Thackeray

Waqf Act violates 'basic structure' of Constitution: Sena (UBT) leader

The contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, violates the landmark Supreme Court judgment on the "basic structure" doctrine of the Constitution, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has claimed. Sanjay Lakhe Patil, secretary of the Uddhav Thackeray-led opposition outfit, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately trying to dismantle the spirit of communal harmony -- what he described as the 'Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb' or unifying composite culture-- by creating divisions among communities. The Sena (UBT) functionary made these remarks while addressing a gathering organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's Jalna unit on Thursday. He claimed the new amendment in the Waqf Act, passed by Parliament last month, violates the landmark Kesavananda Bharati judgment by the Supreme Court, which laid down the "basic structure" doctrine of the Constitution. The 1973 Kesavananda Bharati judgement on basic structure doctrine had clipped the vast power of Parliament to amend the ...

Shifting political equations: The new normal in Maharashtra's power play

Recent bonhomie among the Thackeray cousins, Pawar clan engagements, amid purported friction between Fadnavis and Shinde, could shape the contours of local body polls, writes ADITI PHADNIS

Raj, Uddhav Thackeray hint at reunion, make common cause in language row

Raj Thackeray hinted at a possible reconciliation with cousin Uddhav amid growing concerns over Marathi identity and opposition to the state's Hindi language policy, setting the stage for major shift

BJP's 'concern' for Muslims would put Jinnah to shame: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the "concern" shown by the BJP and its allies during the discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill would put Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah to shame. His party opposed the BJP's fraudulent stand on the bill and its ploy to take away land and give it to its industrialist friends, he said at a press conference here, hours after the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. Thackeray, a former BJP ally, said the BJP has won a third term at the Centre and things are going well, yet it is raking up Hindu-Muslim issues. He dared the saffron party to remove the green colour from its party flag if it disliked Muslims. Thackeray also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have told the country about the impending danger of US tariffs and the steps being taken to mitigate it.

Kunal Kamra offers to fund banker's trip after police summons on Shinde row

A banker from Navi Mumbai was on a trip to Tamil Nadu and Kerala but had to return early after Mumbai Police summoned him for questioning in a defamation case against Kunal Kamra

BJP using poll reforms to exclude 'certain' people from voting: Sena (UBT)

Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday targeted the Centre over its push for simultaneous polls, claiming polling will be eventually conducted by excluding people from "other" religions from the voters list under the guise of electoral reforms. An editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana claimed the BJP wants only one party to survive in the country and that the "one party one election" is its ultimate goal. Referring to Donald Trump, the editorial stated that while the US President wants to stop Latinos, black Americans, and immigrants from voting, similarly, in India polling will be conducted by excluding people from "other" religions from the voters' list and this will be labelled as election reform. It also pointed to the executive action signed by Trump on Tuesday to overhaul elections. The order makes the documentary proof of citizenship necessary for registration to vote in federal elections and demands that all ballots be received by Election Day. "India is the world's lar

Thackeray dubs 'Saugat-e-Modi' as 'Saugat-e-Satta', slams BJP's 'hypocrisy'

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday criticised the BJP for its 'Saugat-e-Modi' initiative for Muslims, labelling it as 'Saugat-e-Satta' intended solely for the upcoming Bihar elections, a remark that prompted strong response from the ruling party, which insisted it does not harbour anti-Muslim or anti-Christian sentiments. At a press conference in Mumbai, Thackeray accused the BJP of hypocrisy, arguing when the Shiv Sena (UBT) garnered significant support from Muslim voters in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP condemned him for supposedly abandoning Hindutva, coining phrases like "Satta Jihad." "But now, the same people have reversed their position," he said. Questioning the sincerity of the BJP's 'Saugat-e-Modi' programme, Thackeray asked, "Will this 'Saugat-e-Satta' (gift of power) be limited to the Bihar elections (scheduled in 2025-end), or will it have a lasting impact? The BJP should also declare that it has given up Hindutva." In response, Maharashtra BJP

Maharashtra govt summons Kamra, remains silent on Solapurkar, says Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Maharashtra government summoned comedian Kunal Kamra for insulting a "traitor", but took no action against actor Rahul Solapurkar over his 'insult' of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Speaking to reporters a day after the Budget session of the state legislature ended, he also criticised the BJP over its outreach programme for Muslim families 'Saugat-e-Modi'. "You summon Kunal Kamra twice for insulting a traitor, but do not summon Rahul Solapurkar even once," Thackeray said. Kamra, whose parody song targeting Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to an attack by Shinde supporters on a studio here on Sunday, has been summoned by Mumbai Police. Shiv Sena (UBT) has often used the term 'traitor' for Shinde, who rebelled against Thackeray and split the party in 2022. Solapurkar recently came under fire after stating in a podcast that Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century Maratha warrior king, escaped from Agra Fort by ...

Kamra row: Saamana cites PM Modi's take on Shinde supporters' vandalism

Citing Prime Minister Modi's comment that "criticism is the soul of democracy", the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday questioned the "extreme response" provoked by comedian Kunal Kamra's jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. An editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana' said Kamra's parody song had merely pointed to the rebellion led by Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in 2022 and that it was an "old wine in a new bottle", yet the deputy CM's supporters vandalised a studio in Mumbai on Sunday. Notably, the rebellion had led to a split in the Shiv Sena and collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state in 2022. Shinde then joined hands with the BJP and formed government. The editorial in Saamana said 40 MLAs in Maharashtra had defected, leading to the formation of an "extra-constitutional" government. The episode was widely publicised, culminating in a legal battle in the Supreme Court, it pointed out. "Slogans about .

Disha Salian case: Rane seeks Aaditya's arrest, says Uddhav called twice

BJP leader Narayan Rane on Saturday claimed the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had called him twice and "requested" not to drag his son Aaditya Thackeray in the Disha Salian death case. Addressing media, Rane demanded that the police register an FIR and arrest the former minister (read Aaditya Thackeray). "When he was chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray called me twice during the COVID pandemic and requested me not to drag his son in the Disha Salian case," the BJP MP claimed. The former Union minister further claimed he told Thackeray that he had not named anybody and only referred to a minister in his press conference. "Register an FIR based on the evidence gathered so far and arrest him (Aaditya)," Rane said. Rane and Thackeray, both former chief ministers, are bitter rivals. Uddhav Thackeray had rubbished the claim and said his son Aaditya was not even remotely connected to the case. Aaditya too said the charges were an attempt to malign him and he would answer them in ...

Uddhav urges 'Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhavani' as counter to BJP's slogan

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday accused the BJP of poisoning society and asked his supporters to respond to the ruling party's favoured 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan with 'Jai Shivaji' and Jai Bhavani'. Addressing Sena (UBT) workers in the eastern suburb of Mulund, bordering Thane, he also drew a comparison between the current BJP-led regime and Nazi Germany dictator Adolf Hitler. If anyone says Jai Shri Ram, do not let the person leave without making sure that he says Jai Shivaji and Jai Bhavani. The BJP has poisoned our society. I am going to give the BJP a tough time for what they have done to our society, he said. Thackeray also questioned the BJP's commitment to the country, pointing to its stance on international sports events. He said that the BJP previously opposed sporting events with Pakistan, yet India now engages in cricket matches with both Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Sena (UBT) chief also responded to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's recent j

Raut slams Eknath Shinde for questioning Uddhav over skipping Maha Kumbh

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday hit out at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for raising questions over Uddhav Thackeray not attending the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Talking to reporters, Raut also criticised Shinde's political acumen and said the BJP should train the deputy CM on how to ask questions. Because of Shinde's blunders, the BJP and its leaders are getting "exposed" more than Uddhav Thackeray, the Rajya Sabha member claimed. Shinde's Shiv Sena is a constituent of the BJP-led ruling Mahayuti in the state. The Maha Kumbh was held at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh from January 13 to February 26. On Shinde targeting Sena (UBT) head and former CM Uddhav Thackeray for not attending the Maha Kumbh, Raut said, "Shinde should ask this question first to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. If Bhagwat, as a Hindu, has not visited the Kumbh to take a dip, why target Uddhav Thackeray?" Raut also said he had never seen pictures of RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar,

People gave clear verdict on Sena, NCP with thumping Mahayuti win: Shah

The Mahayuti won 230 of the 288 Maharashtra assembly seats in the polls held in November, while the Sena and NCP factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, respectively, fared poorly

Delhi election results: How can a leader become CM without being an MLA?

Delhi election results 2025: If speculation is to be believed, among the frontrunners are Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Virendra Sachdeva, and Manoj Tiwari, among others

Even BJP didn't find its victory in Maha polls believable: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of irregularities in Maharashtra assembly elections and claimed that even the ruling BJP did not find its victory believable. Gandhi, at his press conference in Delhi, "busted the farce" of the BJP-led Mahayuti's majority in the state, he said. Just as the Opposition could not believe that its defeat was genuine, the Bharatiya Janata Party did not find its own victory believable, said Thackeray. He also dared rival Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to try and poach MPs of the Sena (UBT). Alleging "numerous irregularities" in the Maharashtra polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day claimed there were more registered voters than the entire state's adult population, and more voters were added in five months between the Lok Sabha and state polls than in the five years before that. He also asserted that if the demand to the Election Commis

Why should Mumbaikars fund Dharavi land grab, questions Aaditya Thackery

He further pointed out that the Deonar land was already grabbed by the Adani Group, despite objections from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

Ready to help reconcile two Senas, but hearts need to meet first: Shirsat

Maharashtra Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat has said he is ready to facilitate reconciliation between his party and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) but hearts must meet first. The Shiv Sena spokesperson, in an interview with a Marathi channel on Saturday, said he and many of his party colleagues share cordial ties with the Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders even today. Shirsat said he is pained by the split in the Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena, which is now headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Asked if he was ready to facilitate any efforts towards rapprochement if he gets an opportunity, Shirsat said, I will do it, but hearts need to meet first. Leaders of the two parties still meet each other warmly, he said. But the distance has become such that if it's not bridged now, it will be difficult to mend ties later, Shirsat said. Asked whether Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, the son of former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, could facilitate a patch-up,

Return to ballot paper voting, EVM confuses voters: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said with EVMs, people have "lost the right" to know who they have voted for. Speaking at an event on National Voters' Day, on the eve of Republic Day, he said the country must revert to elections through ballot paper. The former Maharashtra chief minister also took swipes at the BJP and its predecessors, stating that freedom of the country is now in the hands of those who had no connection with the freedom struggle. "They participated neither in the Indian freedom struggle, nor in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement," he said, referring to the movement for the formation of the Maharashtra state. There is no value to voting any longer, Thackeray said, adding that whether EVMs can be tampered with or not is a technical question, but all the institutions have been captured. "When polling took place through ballot paper, we knew who we voted for," Thackeray said. Though there is Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) along with EVM,

Shiv Sena (UBT) to go alone in local bodies elections, says Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said his party will contest the upcoming elections to the various local bodies alone. Talking to reporters, the Rajya Sabha MP said the INDIA bloc and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances were for the Lok Sabha and assembly polls. "In an alliance, workers of individual parties don't get opportunities, and it hampers organisational growth. We will contest polls to the Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur and other municipal corporations, zilla parishads and panchayats on our strength," he said. He said party chief Uddhav Thackeray gave the party indications that it should go alone. Hitting out at Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar for indulging in a blame game over the MVA's defeat in the state assembly, Raut said those who don't believe in consensus and compromise have no right to be in an alliance. He further claimed that the INDIA bloc did not hold a single meeting after the Lok Sabha elections. "We were not able to appoint even a convenor for INDIA bloc. I

Uddhav Thackeray meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur