Shiv Sena Factions Clash, Raise Slogans At Bal Thackeray's Memorial In Mumbai

On Thursday (16 November), workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) confronted each other at the party founder late Bal Thackeray's memorial.

This confrontation, involving shouting slogans at each other, happened a day ahead of the 11th anniversary of the party founder's death, which is being observed today (17 November). Police had to disperse the gathering.

The confrontation intensified as Shiv Sena members shouted that the party belongs to them, while the Uddhav Thackeray faction countered with chants of "traitors go back."

This incident occurred after Chief Minister Shinde's arrival at the Shivaji Park memorial in Dadar to pay tribute to Bal Thackeray.

Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has realized the late Shiv Sena founder's dream by facilitating the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

He pointed out that the inauguration of the temple is scheduled for the day preceding Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary.

Thackeray was born on 23 January in 1926, while the 'prana pratishta' of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will take place on 22 January.

Shinde asserted that his government was working to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of Bal Thackeray.

Krishna Hegde, the spokesperson for Shiv Sena, said that, like last year, CM Shinde offered his respects at the Shivaji Park memorial on the death anniversary's eve to prevent any conflicts.

The spokesperson added that Shinde, accompanied by senior party leaders, departed from Shivaji Park after a while.

"Everything was peaceful till we saw the arrival of (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Anil Desai and MLC Anil Parab, who had come with a group of people to disturb the peaceful and solemn occasion. This was a deliberate attempt to create ruckus and a law and order situation," Hegde alleged, NDTV reported.

"This was uncalled for. Balasaheb Thackeray belongs to everyone and all can pay tribute to him. If they (Uddhav faction) want to truly show respect to Balaseheb Thackeray, then they must first follow his ideology," he added.