Uddhav Thackeray is a prominent Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Born on July 27, 1960, he is the son of Bal Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Marathi regional political party. Uddhav took over the reins of the party after his father’s death in 2012, despite initial speculation that his cousin Raj Thackeray would succeed Bal Thackeray. Uddhav's leadership style is seen as more moderate compared to his father’s fiery and often controversial approach. Under his guidance, the Shiv Sena shifted focus from aggressive Hindutva rhetoric to more inclusive politics, especially after forming alliances with ideologically divergent parties. This was evident in 2019 when Uddhav broke away from the BJP-led alliance post the Maharashtra Assembly elections, citing differences over power-sharing. In a dramatic political move, he aligned with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, assuming the role of Chief Minister from November 2019 until June 2022. During his tenure as CM, Uddhav faced numerous challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to political turbulence within his coalition. His administration was praised for its handling of the pandemic in its early stages but also faced criticism on issues like the lockdown’s economic impact and handling of dissent. In 2022, a rebellion within the Shiv Sena led by senior leader Eknath Shinde resulted in the fall of the MVA government. Uddhav's role as Shiv Sena chief was further challenged as Shinde claimed the original party name and symbol, leading to a split within the Sena. Despite the setbacks, Uddhav continues to be a key figure in Maharashtra politics, steering his faction of the Shiv Sena toward new alliances.