The political conflict within Shiv Sena appears to be intensifying after six MPs from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction officially joined the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. While this development has dealt a major blow to the Thackeray camp, another significant development has emerged that could pose a fresh challenge for the UBT faction.
According to sources, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde is preparing to build its own grand 'Sena Bhavan' in Mumbai. The party has begun searching for a suitable location for its new headquarters, and two potential sites have reportedly been identified and inspected.
One of the proposed locations is in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), not far from Uddhav Thackeray's residence, Matoshree. The second option under consideration is in the Dadar area.
Since the 2022 rebellion, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has rapidly expanded its organizational network across Maharashtra. Over the past four years, the party has strengthened its position with the induction of several MLAs, MPs, office-bearers, and grassroots workers.
Against this backdrop, party leaders are believed to feel that the organization should have its own independent and permanent headquarters, similar to the historic Sena Bhavan in Dadar.
Sources indicate that Eknath Shinde is inclined toward establishing the new Sena Bhavan in Dadar rather than BKC. Shiv Sena was founded on a movement advocating for the rights of Marathi people, and many within the party believe that Dadar—closely associated with Marathi culture and the party's traditional roots—would better reflect its ideological identity.
Discussions regarding the final site selection are currently underway, while technical and structural aspects of the project are also being examined.
The proposed headquarters is likely to raise concerns within the Thackeray camp, which is already grappling with the loss of MPs, leaders, and grassroots workers amid discussions surrounding "Operation Tiger."
Political observers believe that if the Shinde faction succeeds in establishing a separate and grand headquarters in a symbolically significant area such as Dadar, the battle over Shiv Sena's legacy, identity, and political ownership could become even more intense.
Mumbai remains the organizational and political center of Shiv Sena politics. As a result, the proposal to build a new Sena Bhavan is being viewed as part of a broader strategy by the Shinde-led faction to consolidate its position and reinforce its claim to Shiv Sena's legacy.