A political firestorm has erupted within the Shiv Sena following a controversial claim by leader Ramdas Kadam. Kadam alleged that the body of party founder Bal Thackeray was kept at his residence for two days after his death. This assertion has drawn sharp condemnation from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, which swiftly labeled the comments as a profound betrayal of the revered late leader.
During a fiery Dussehra rally in Mumbai on Thursday, Kadam directly challenged Uddhav Thackeray, Bal Thackeray’s son and the current chief of Shiv Sena (UBT). “When did Shiv Sena chief (Bal Thackeray) truly pass away? Why was his body retained at Matoshree, his Bandra residence, for two days?” Kadam questioned. He further recounted, “I spent eight consecutive nights sleeping on a bench at Matoshree during Bal Thackeray’s severe illness.” The former State Minister’s comments were clearly aimed at Uddhav Thackeray.
Sanjay Raut, a prominent figure in the Shiv Sena (UBT) and a close confidante of Uddhav Thackeray, quickly hit back. He declared that such statements constitute “nothing short of betrayal of Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.”
The controversy intensified on Friday when Kadam escalated his accusations, claiming Uddhav Thackeray had “tortured” his late father’s body, who passed away on November 17, 2012.
Kadam went on to demand a narco-analysis test for both himself and Uddhav Thackeray to substantiate his claims. “I had urged Uddhav ji to take impressions of his father’s feet, but he insisted on palm impressions. What purpose did these impressions serve?” Kadam pressed.
He also asserted that during those two days at Matoshree, access to the room where the Shiv Sena founder lay was restricted to all.
Despite the fierce backlash from the Shiv Sena (UBT), the former minister remained resolute, affirming that he stood by his contentious remarks.
Currently, the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is a key ally in the ruling coalition and remains a potent political adversary to Uddhav Thackeray’s faction.