Shiv Sena’s foundation day: Uddhav Thackeray to address cadre online, celebrations to be subdued

The Sena has moved many of its MLAs to a Powai hotel to ensure that there are no last minute defections from the party ahead of the Council polls.

The Shiv Sena was founded on June 19, 1966 at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park by late party patriarch Bal Thackeray. Last year, the foundation day was held in Shanmukhananda Hall with Covid restrictions in place. In 2020, the programme was held online in view of the pandemic.

A senior Sena leader said, “If we hold a big function then MLAs, MPs and many office bearers will attend the event and there’s every chance of them being approached by the BJP. We trust our leaders fully but why take chances? We will bring our MLAs from the Powai hotel on Monday morning only.”

The NCP’s 23rd foundation day was marked on June 10 and the celebrations were low-key as the Rajya Sabha elections polls were scheduled on the same day and the
NCP MLAs were in a hotel from where they were taken straight for polling. A simple function was organised at the NCP headquarters with MP and senior leader Supriya Sule as the chief guest.