File Pic - Uddhav Thackeray/X

By A. Limbu

Pune: THE Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has planned to celebrate its 58th Foundation Day in style and with gusto.

The celebration is expected the boost the morale of the Sainiks who have been down after the party split into two. Many of the MLAs went with Eknath Shinde to form another Shiv Sena, which was recognised by the Election Commission. 

But the recently Lok Sabha election has proved that Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray is still a popular party. Though 40 of its MLAs left the party, the Sena proved in the Lok Sabha election that it was still a force to reckon with and a strong force at that as the party won 9 Lok Sabha seats. It goes to show that people of Maharashtra love Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray.

Meanwhile, Sena mouthpiece, Saamana, on its front page announced the party's grand celebration plan which will be held at 6.30 at Shanmukhanand Hall in Mumbai.

At the 58 Foundation Day celebration, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is expected to sound the party's poll bugle for assembly election. ''Uddhav Thackeray will sound the poll bugle for assembly election,'' the paper said.

Sanjay Raut, who has emerged as the firebrand spokesperson of the party, is the editor of Saamana, which is must-read among political leaders, workers and journalists.

''Currently, BJP leadership is filled with hatred against Maharashtra. BJP split the Shiv Sena out of this hatred. The BJP installed Eknath Shinde in chief minister's chair in a bid to finish off the Sena. However, the BJP conspiracy will be buried by hard-core Shiv Sainiks,'' the paper said, while emphasising that Lok Sabha win was the first victory for the party.

The paper said Maha Vikas Aghadi was united during the Lok Sabha elections and will remain so in assembly election as well. ''The MVA played a key role in blowing up BJP's ego...Even in the coming assembly elections, the united MVA will put the BJP in its place,'' the paper said.