Shiv Sena

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The Shiv Sena is a regional political party in Maharashtra, founded in 1966 by Bal Thackeray. Initially formed to advocate for the rights of Marathi-speaking people, the party evolved into a significant force in Maharashtra's politics, focusing on issues of regional pride, Hindutva, and Marathi identity. Historically, Shiv Sena has had a stronghold in Mumbai, influencing civic issues, local governance, and state politics. The party’s ideology is centered on Hindutva nationalism, but it also emphasizes social welfare, public safety, and support for the local economy, particularly the rights of the Marathi manoos (Marathi people).
For most of its political journey, the Shiv Sena was allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), forming a coalition that governed Maharashtra multiple times, including the notable tenure from 1995 to 1999 and 2014 to 2019. However, following the 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, the party severed ties with the BJP over differences in power-sharing and formed a government with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Indian National Congress (INC), with Uddhav Thackeray becoming the Chief Minister. This political realignment marked a shift in the Shiv Sena’s traditional alliance dynamics, emphasizing governance, infrastructure development, and public welfare.
The Shiv Sena has experienced internal splits, most notably in 2022, when Eknath Shinde, a senior leader, led a faction that claimed to represent the original party. The split led to Eknath Shinde becoming the Chief Minister of Maharashtra with BJP's support, while Uddhav Thackeray continues to lead a faction known as Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
In September 2020, BOOM fact-checked a viral video of Omprakash Shete, a man seen breaking down over Maharashtra's COVID-19 crisis, with claims that he was a government official linked to the Shiv Sena.
Shete clarified to BOOM that he was no longer a government official and was working as a social worker, debunking the false claim about his official role during the crisis.