17 November,2023 02:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray bows before his father Bal Thackeray`s portrait/ X
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his family commemorated the 11th death anniversary of his father and Shiv Sena founder, Bal Thackeray, by paying respects at his memorial, stated a report in PTI. Accompanied by his wife Rashmi and son Aaditya Thackeray, the ex-CM, Uddhav Thackeray visited the memorial site at Shivaji Park where Bal Thackeray was cremated.
His office tweeted pictures of him and his family paying their respects and wrote, "Party Chief Hon Uddhavsaheb Thackeray and Mrs Rashmivahini Thackeray saluted Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray at the memorial site at Shivtirtha on the occasion of his memorial day."
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According to the report, during the visit, Thackeray was joined by senior Shiv Sena leaders including MPs Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, Vinayak Raut and Arvind Sawant. The party workers, known as Shiv Sainiks, from both--Thackeray and Enath Shinde--factions across the state also paid tribute to the party founder at the memorial.
The observance of Bal Thackeray's death anniversary occurred amid the ongoing division within the Shiv Sena, highlighting the continued rift within the party's factions.
The original party Shiv Sena was vertically split last year after incumbent CM Shinde walked out on Uddhav Thackeray with 40 other MLAs resulting in the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Thackeray. Following that, the state witnessed a battle between the two factions who left no opportunity to trade barbs even as they fought in the Election Commission to stake a claim on the party name and symbol.
However, the poll commission recognised Shinde's faction as the real Shiv Sena and assigned the 'bow and arrow' poll symbol to it.
Consequently, Uddhav Thackeray's group adopted the name Shiv Sena (UBT).
Tensions between the factions surfaced on Thursday, as workers from Shinde-led Sena and Sena (UBT) confronted each other and raised slogans at Bal Thackeray's memorial. Police intervened to disperse the crowd and maintain order amidst the discord.
