Shiv Sena Foundation Day: Shiv Sena's 60th Foundation Day celebrations on Friday were held amid a slugfest over fresh rebellion within the party. Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy, and questions about the future of the two factions formed after the party split in 2022, remained at the centre of discussion among party workers.

Buzz over the "Operation Tiger" overshadowed the foundation day celebrations. Reports are emerging that six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) are likely to defect to Eknath Shinde's faction and join the ruling Mahayuti alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Revolt In Uddhav Sena

Shiv Sena (UTB) MPs: Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar are expected to join the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Shiv Sena (UBT) called a parliamentary party meeting on Thursday, but these rebel MPs did not attend, confirming their separation from Uddhav's camp.

ALSO READ: Uddhav Thackeray's 16 MLAs To Rebel Before Monsoon Session? Shinde Sena Says 'Operation Tiger' To Continue

Poster War On Foundation Day In Mumbai

Both the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) have put up posters and banners in key areas of Mumbai, including Bandra, Kalanagar, and Matoshree. This has sparked a poster war between the two factions.

Whether it's the Shinde camp or the Uddhav faction, both featured Balasaheb Thackeray in their posters. The Shinde faction's poster depicts Balasaheb Thackeray and Eknath Shinde together, while the Uddhav faction's poster depicts Balasaheb Thackeray alongside Uddhav and his son Aditya Thackeray.

ALSO READ: Shiv Sena Completes 60 Years: Uddhav Thackeray Faces Fresh Setback; Why Did Rebel MPs Support Eknath Shinde?

Raut Continues To Attack The Rebels

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, on the occasion of the party's 60th foundation day, described the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray as the "real Shiv Sena." Raut said, "Today is the 60th anniversary of the Shiv Sena, the diamond jubilee of the real Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena has now come a long way in 60 years, first under the leadership of Balasaheb Thackeray and then under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray."

Meanwhile, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena also posted a photo of party founder Bal Thackeray and Shinde, describing their relationship as an "unbreakable bond." In a post on Instagram, the party wrote, "An unbreakable bond! Of speeches, of ideas, of Hindutva and Shiv Sena traditions."

(With Jagran.com Inputs)