Two Shiv Senas, two Dusshera events: How high are stakes for Uddhav and Shinde?

The Indian ExpressIndependentCenter2 hr. ago

The Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, has publicly expressed its desire to see Shinde return as Maharashtra's chief minister in the 2029 Assembly elections. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that all Shiv Sainiks want Shinde to become chief minister again and emphasized the need to increase the party's electoral strength to achieve this goal. This comes nearly two years after the 2024 elections, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a majority, with Devendra Fadnavis becoming chief minister and Shinde serving as deputy chief minister. Other Shiv Sena leaders, including Water Resources Minister Gulabrao Patil, have echoed similar sentiments, though there is no indication of a formal decision by the Mahayuti leadership to replace Fadnavis.

Bias read (Center): The article presents statements from Shiv Sena ministers expressing their preference for Eknath Shinde to become chief minister again. It includes quotes from multiple party members and provides context about the current political situation in Maharashtra. The article does not exhibit overt bias, as

India TodayIndependentCenter8 hr. ago

In Mumbai, two rival factions of the Shiv Sena are holding separate Dussehra rallies, highlighting the ongoing political divide between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. Uddhav's group is holding its event at Shivaji Park, a historically significant location tied to the party's legacy, while Shinde's faction is gathering at the NESCO Center and Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon. This division follows a 2022 split within the party, which led to legal disputes over the use of Shivaji Park. The Bombay High Court previously ruled in favor of Uddhav's faction allowing them to use the park, while Shinde's group shifted to other locations. Despite losing control of the symbolic venue, Shinde's faction currently holds more political power, having secured 57 seats in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections compared to Uddhav's 20 seats. Shinde's group is recognized by the Election Commission as the official Shiv Sena and leads the current government as Deputy Chief Minister.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation between two rival Shiv Sena factions in a balanced manner, focusing on historical context, legal decisions, and electoral outcomes without overtly favoring either side. It highlights both the symbolic significance of Shivaji Park for Uddhav Thackeray's faction and孟