NEW DELHI: After back-to-back setbacks in Lok Sabha and assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) has now vowed to re-establish itself in the Konkan region, which was once a stronghold of the united Shiv Sena.
Sena (UBT) boss Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday declared that he would soon tour the entire Konkan region to rejuvenate cadres and strengthen the organization after recent poll defeats.
“We will reclaim Konkan. The (poll) results in Konkan were unexpected. People can be fooled once, but not all the time,” Uddhav said.
Taking a dig at deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, Uddhav said that the people of Maharashtra need the Shiv Sena (UBT) at this juncture, as it is the only political party in the state that keeps its word and fulfills its promises.
Why is Sena (UBT) focusing on Konkan?
Shiv Sena had a strong support base in the Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg belt, as Bal Thackeray enjoyed unparalleled clout in the region, and many leaders and cadres hailed from there.
Additionally, many who work in Mumbai hail from Konkan and still have ties to their native villages.
Following the party’s faction split, Shiv Sena (UBT) lost both seats in the region in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite a promising performance in other parts of the state.
The party also suffered a humiliating setback in the region after it lost 14 out of 15 seats to Shiv Sainiks who had jumped ship.