Uddhav Thackeray Questions PM Modi’s Meeting With Shinde Faction Amid Supreme Court Hearing

August 8, 2026

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday criticised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MPs from his faction for meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, questioning the reported political assurance given to the group amid ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court over the Shiv Sena’s identity and election symbol.

Thackeray raised strong objections to PM Modi’s reported reassurance to the Shinde faction, “Do not fear, I am behind you”, and questioned who the message was actually intended for.

Thackeray Questions PM Modi’s Assurance

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray questioned the underlying motive behind the Prime Minister’s reported assurance to the Shinde faction.

“When Shinde used to visit earlier, he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Now it seems their boss has changed, and they directly meet PM Modi. What does ‘Do not fear, I am behind you’ signify? Is this threat-like message given to the Supreme Court? To Amit Shah? To Devendra Fadnavis, or to the administration? PM Modi must clarify who he was actually speaking to,” he said.

Thackeray pointed out that the meeting took place while critical hearings concerning the party’s name and election symbol were underway before the Supreme Court.

“While our case is being heard, the Prime Minister, who didn’t meet Gen Z representatives, is meeting traitors and telling them not to fear. This is highly objectionable. It is not just for the public to notice, but the Supreme Court should also take note and ask who this message was intended for,” he said.

Uddhav Thackeray Calls Dispute a Fight for Democracy

Thackeray further questioned whether the reported reassurance could be interpreted as an invitation to potential defectors across political parties, suggesting that they could switch sides without fearing consequences.

He said the ongoing conflict had moved beyond the internal affairs of the Shiv Sena and described it as a broader national fight concerning democratic values.

Stating that “the virus of betrayal is taking the life of democracy”, Thackeray urged patriots and citizens from Kashmir to Kanyakumari who respect the Constitution to unite against such political practices.

He also said the developments would be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court and questioned why the Shinde group continued to display apprehension despite political realignments.

Sanjay Raut Targets PM Modi Over Shinde Faction Meeting

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also criticised Prime Minister Modi over his meeting with MPs from the Shinde faction.

Referring to the ongoing disruptions in Parliament, Raut accused the Prime Minister of avoiding parliamentary proceedings while finding time to host leaders of the Shinde faction.

“PM Modi has time to throw parties with fafda, dhokla, and jalebi for traitor MPs, but has no time to step into Parliament,” Raut said in a social media post, describing the meeting as an “insult to the public and the Constitution”.

The political confrontation comes amid ongoing hearings before a Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Representing the Thackeray group, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued against the Election Commission of India’s decision to grant the official party name and election symbol to the Shinde faction solely on the basis of legislative majority.

Sibal contended that treating legislative strength as the sole metric undermines the organisational framework of political parties.