Leaders Across Maharashtra Remember Bal Thackeray on His Death Anniversary

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and his wife Rashmi Thackeray visited the memorial of his father, the late Bal Thackeray, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on the occasion of the 11th death anniversary of the founder of the Shiv Sena party. The Thackeray couple paid floral tributes at the memorial, remembering the legacy of the influential leader who played a key role in shaping Maharashtra's political landscape.

In a rare display of unity, members from both the factions of the Shiv Sena — Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena — also paid respects at the memorial. Despite the ongoing political rift between the two groups, the gesture was seen as a mark of respect for the founder’s contributions to the state and his impact on the political and cultural fabric of Maharashtra.

Apart from the Thackerays, several political leaders from across party lines visited the memorial to offer their tributes to Bal Thackeray. Key figures included Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the breakaway faction of Shiv Sena, and various leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. Eknath Shinde, along with his supporters, laid wreaths at the memorial, highlighting the political complexity of the moment. "Balasaheb Thackeray's vision for Maharashtra remains a guiding force for all of us," Shinde said during his visit.

Bal Thackeray’s death anniversary has always been a day of reflection, reverence, and sometimes political statements. This year, as Maharashtra observes the 11th anniversary of his passing, the conflicting forces within the Shiv Sena have only added to the complex narrative of his enduring influence in the state’s political history. While the day marked tributes from leaders across the spectrum, the divide within the party underscores the challenges ahead in maintaining the legacy of one of Maharashtra's most charismatic and controversial leaders.