Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) workers visited the Pir Babar Sheikh Dargah on December 8 in Hatis, Ratnagiri district, to take an ‘oath of loyalty’ to the party. The choice of a religious place to take such an oath has raised eyebrows on social media. According to the media reports, the event was part of an effort to address the unrest going on within the party following its dismal performance in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) witnessed a severe setback in the recent Assembly elections. The party managed to secure only 20 seats statewide, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharad Pawar) managed a total of only 60 seats. The loss was stinging in Konkan, considered a stronghold of the Thackeray-led faction. After the results were announced, there was discontent among party workers.
Several workers accused senior leaders of negligence, which they claimed led to such a defeat in the elections. This dissatisfaction resulted in heated discussions during the meetings and resignations from key positions, which further heightened tensions within the party cadre. Responding to the problem within the party, senior leader and close confidant of Uddhav Thackeray, Vinayak Raut, sought to address these divisions.
A decision was taken by the party leaders to take an oath of loyalty at the Pir Babar Sheikh Dargah, as this act is said to be rooted in the cultural tradition of swearing loyalty at sacred sites in Konkan. The gesture was intended to show the public that faith and unity prevail within the party.
However, the choice of a dargah for this gesture, given Shiv Sena’s history with Hindutva ideology, has raised eyebrows on social media. Questions are being raised about whether the party has decided to completely depart from its traditional rhetoric.
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