Mumbai: As Shiv Sena turned 55 on June 19, a cloud hangs of the survival of the party-led alliance government in Maharashtra. The party -- which was launched by Balasaheb Thackeray to fight for preferential treatment for Maharashtrians over migrants in Mumbai when it comes to job opportunities -- has been, for a large part of its journey, in the opposition or without administrative power.
Though the party president Uddhav Thackeray has hinted that Shiv Sena will not shake hands again with BJP for its future growth, the party will now have to further strengthen its ties with new allies NCP and Congress in a bid to take on its estranged ally BJP.
Shiv Sena faces an acid test to retain its power in the BMC in the coming elections slated for 2022 especially when BJP has launched Mission 2022 with a resolve to elect its mayor.
The party will now have to counter BJP by aggressively selling a development plank to the voters and also strengthening its ties with its allies for the upcoming BMC and assembly elections.
Shiv Sena received a ton of messages from political leaders and the common man on the occasion.
Here's how people are reacting today. Have a look.
