Viral Moment Highlights Ongoing Rift Between Shiv Sena Factions During Assembly Photo Session
Published on: July 18, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Mumbai, India
In a striking display of political tension, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visibly ignored his former ally and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray during a recent photo session in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on July 16, 2025. The incident, captured in a widely circulated video, has reignited discussions about the deep-seated rivalry between the two leaders following the 2022 Shiv Sena split.
The moment occurred when Shinde and Thackeray came face-to-face during a routine assembly photo-op, yet both leaders conspicuously avoided acknowledging each other, highlighting the lingering bitterness from Shinde’s rebellion against Thackeray’s leadership. In June 2022, Shinde, along with 40 MLAs, broke away from Thackeray’s Maha Vikas Aghadi government, leading to its collapse and Shinde’s subsequent rise as Chief Minister with BJP support.
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The Election Commission later recognized Shinde’s faction as the official Shiv Sena, a decision Thackeray continues to challenge in the Supreme Court.This public snub underscores the ongoing battle for control over the Shiv Sena’s legacy, with both leaders claiming to uphold the ideology of party founder Bal Thackeray. Shinde’s faction has accused Thackeray of deviating from Hindutva principles, while Thackeray’s camp labels Shinde a “traitor” for toppling their government.
The viral moment has fueled public and political discourse, with supporters of both sides weighing in on the significance of the encounter. As Maharashtra gears up for local body elections, this incident serves as a reminder of the fractured dynamics within the Shiv Sena and the high stakes in the state’s political landscape.
