26 July,2023 09:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
File Photo/PTI
Uddhav Thackeray is a politician and the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He was born on July 27, 1960, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray is the son of Bal Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena, a regional political party in Maharashtra.
Uddhav Thackeray took over the leadership of the Shiv Sena after the demise of his father in 2012. He has been actively involved in politics and party affairs for many years. In November 2019, he led the Shiv Sena into a coalition government with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) after the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections. As a result of this coalition, he became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on November 28, 2019.
Before becoming Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray primarily focused on party leadership and played a significant role in shaping the Shiv Sena's ideology and policies. As the Chief Minister, he has been involved in various initiatives and policies aimed at addressing the state's challenges and promoting development.
In 2019, Shiv Sena left the NDA and joined the UPA, forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance to lead the Maharashtra government, with Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister. In 2022, he cited betrayal by the BJP as the reason for leaving the NDA and criticized the BJP's political convenience in handling allies.
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Despite never holding a constitutional post initially, he took the oath as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra on November 28, 2019 after being elected as the president of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition.
Also read: Uddhav Thackeray birthday: The political journey of the former Maharashtra CM
Championing Climate Change Efforts:
Uddhav Thackeray gained popularity as a Chief Minister committed to leading Maharashtra's efforts against climate change. He set a visionary goal of making Mumbai carbon-neutral by 2050, an ambitious target, aiming to achieve it twenty years ahead of India's national target.
Challenges Faced:
During his tenure, Uddhav Thackeray faced challenges within the Shiv Sena. A leadership dispute arose when Eknath Shinde established the government in Maharashtra without Uddhav Thackeray's involvement. This led to a legal battle and ultimately resulted in the Election Commission recognizing Shinde's faction as the legitimate Shiv Sena party, altering the party's leadership dynamics.
In 2022, Uddhav Thackeray cited betrayal by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the reason for leaving the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and criticized the BJP's handling of allies.
Resilience and Determination:
Despite the challenges, Uddhav Thackeray remains committed to his vision for Maharashtra's progress and continues to work towards fulfilling his promises to the people.
As Uddhav Thackeray celebrates his birthday today, his contributions to Maharashtra's political landscape and his dedication to addressing crucial issues like climate change are celebrated and recognized.