Shiv Sena (UBT) to Restructure Local Setup, Appoint Leaders Under 35 After Youth Protests
MUMBAI — Following youth protests over the NEET paper leak in Dadar and near Shivaji Park, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership has initiated a plan to restructure its local party organization and appoint leaders under 35 years of age from its youth wing, Yuva Sena, ahead of the 2029 elections.
The party’s decision follows demonstrations held on July 24 and 26 near Shivaji Park in Mumbai, which brought together thousands of students and citizens. The demonstrations were called to support the national protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and to condemn a police lathi charge on students. Party leaders Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, and Aaditya Thackeray addressed the gathering, with Aaditya Thackeray delivering speeches in three languages.
The involvement of the party began earlier when students were detained on July 20 in Dadar. Aaditya Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) members visited police stations to assist the detained students and subsequently set up a legal help cell. According to Advocate Sagar Devare, who manages the cell, the team received around 600 emails from various cities across Maharashtra seeking legal aid for students booked by the police.
In the wake of the response from young voters, party chief Uddhav Thackeray indicated during a meeting last week that the local organization would be restructured to bring in efficient personnel. Party leaders confirmed that the focus is on appointing new office-bearers below 35 years of age to build a new tier of leadership around Aaditya Thackeray over the next three years.
As part of this organizational shift, Yuva Sena office-bearers are taking an active role in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter process to build long-term connections with voters.
Addressing the party's engagement strategy, Aaditya Thackeray stated that political groups should focus on fulfilling promises to the youth rather than formulating engagement plans, criticizing the current political climate. Political analyst Abhay Deshpande noted that while the party successfully established initial trust among Gen Z voters during the Mumbai demonstrations, sustained pro-active programs across Maharashtra will be required to maintain political momentum outside the capital.
