Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray Offers to Step Down Amid Allegations, Warns of Threat to Democracy

On the 60th Foundation Day of Shiv Sena (UBT), party chief Uddhav Thackeray made an emotional appeal, saying he was ready to step down from all party posts if anyone believed he should no longer lead the organisation. Thackeray said the BJP and others were targeting him and Matoshree, and asserted that if anyone had the courage and capability to respond more effectively, he was willing to relinquish the party leadership. “I have been the president of the party for a long time and am ready to leave it for anyone if you feel that the allegations against me are true. The person who wants to take over the party should be capable. The only condition is that that person should not be a traitor. The reason Sena was built by sweating and hard work cannot be given to anyone,” Thackeray said. He also apologised to voters over the defection of some Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs. Addressing party workers at the foundation day event, Thackeray said democracy was under threat because practices such as poaching opposition leaders were being celebrated rather than condemned, leaving people confused about what was right and wrong.