Foundation day events by Sena parties set to be show of strength before civic polls

While Shinde Sena, is likely host its event at the NSCI Dome in Worli in a grand scale, Sena (UBT) will mark the day at the Shanmukhanand Hall in Sion, continuing the tradition associated with the party’s founding on June 19, 1966, by Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park.

Both leaders will begin the day by paying tribute at Bal Thackeray’s memorial at Shivaji Park, before addressing their respective party workers in the evening which would be a major show of strength by the two sides.

While the Shinde camp is expected to stress a dual plank of “development” and “Hindutva”, the Uddhav-led faction will position itself around a “Save Mumbai” campaign, highlighting concerns over large-scale projects such as the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, and what it describes as the “commercial handover” of the city to private interests.

Party leaders indicated that Uddhav Thackeray may clarify his stance on a potential alliance with his cousin Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said this party anniversary—the first after the new state government—will be “very special,” with preparations already underway.

He added that the party is gearing up for the BMC and other civic polls, and that local leaders have been empowered to assess alliances before a final decision is made by Uddhav.

Although the Shinde Sena performed better across the state in the 2024 Assembly elections, the Mumbai results were mixed. Of the 36 Assembly seats in the city, the Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shinde Sena, Ajit Pawar’s NCP) secured 22, while Sena (UBT) retained 10.

In the 2017 BMC elections, the undivided Sena had won 84 seats in the 227-member civic body. The BMC has been under an administrator since March 2022.

Meanwhile, amid the buzz over Sena UBT and MNS alliance, banners featuring party MLA Aaditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray were seen outside Shiv Sena Bhavan, with birthday greetings — Aaditya turns 35 on June 13, and Raj 56 on June 14 — and appeals for the two Thackerays to come together.