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Mumbai, Nov 17 (IANS) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena suffered a major blow ahead of the Mumbai civic body elections, with the state government re-appointing Shiv Sena-based Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray as chairman of the Balasaheb Thackeray National Memorial Trust.
The grand alliance government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the reappointment despite strong opposition from the Shinde camp, which saw the move as a signal to the Shinde Sena faction to accept the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ultimate authority in running the government and the functioning of the coalition.
Reacting to the appointment, Fadnavis said, “We will continue to walk on the path of ideology shown by the revered Shiv Sena chief, Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray.”
Former mayor and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Kishori Pednekar lauded the government’s decision, suggesting that it would boost the party’s morale ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
He said, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a decent leader despite ideological differences. We welcome the decision taken by the government. We are happy.”
Taking charge as CM in 2019 marked Uddhav Thackeray’s return to the post six years after leaving the post. The reappointment also coincided with the 13th death anniversary of his father and Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
In 2022, Uddhav Thackeray left the post of Chief Minister following the split in Shiv Sena following Eknath Shinde’s rebellion. After the Shinde-led Mahayuti government assumed power in June 2022, the post of Speaker remained vacant.
Shinde Sena leader Ramdas Kadam had even put pressure on Uddhav Thackeray to be removed.
The decision comes at a time when there is a tough competition for control in the upcoming BMC elections between the Shinde camp and Shiv Sena-UBT and influence among the Marathi Manoos, on whom both the factions rely.
The Shinde group has already roped in several former corporators from UBT. Uddhav Thackeray, who has said that he and his cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, intend to work together, is now chalking out his strategy to counter the Shinde faction and the Mahayuti in the civic polls.
Other appointees to the trust include former minister and senior UBT leader Subhash Desai, former minister Aditya Thackeray, BJP MLA Parag Alwani and Shiv Sena deputy leader Shishir Shinde.
The Chief Secretary, two Urban Development Secretaries, the Law and Judiciary Secretary and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner will serve as ex-officio members. The government will decide the names of two more members later.
The trust was formed in 2016, with Uddhav Thackeray as its first chairman, when the mayor’s bungalow in Shivaji Park was chosen as the site for the Balasaheb Thackeray National Memorial. After becoming the Chief Minister, he left the post in 2019.
–IANS
SJ/SNJ/SKP