Addressing the party convention, Shinde said their collective future depends upon the strength of the party organisation

He said the network of shakhas (party branches) should be present every village and Shiv Sena should lead in at least 50 places in every assembly constituency in Maharashtra, PTI reported

The elections Lok Sabha elections are expected to be held in April-May this year, while elections for the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are due in the second half of 2024

This is your report card. Your future, my future depends on the organisational strength," Shinde said, in perhaps the first such message after taking the reins of the party post the 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership, reported PTI

The Shiv Sena organisation network suffered a dent post the 2022 split and both factions are putting efforts to retain the party workers on ground level

The faction led by Shinde, which was recognised as the real Shiv Sena by the Election Commission and later by the Maharashtra assembly speaker, as part of the Mahayuti government, also comprising the BJP and NCP, led by Ajit Pawar

In a dig at his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said he prefers to work "face to face" and not through Facebook, PTI report said

The first Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) convention ahead of LS polls got massive attendance by Shiv Sainiks in Kolhapur. The conclave concluded on Saturday with Shinde's address