Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena shifts focus to grassroots, eyes local polls and 2029 battle

Mumbai: Even as Maharashtra’s political equations continue to evolve within the ruling Maha Yuti alliance, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has begun an aggressive organisational expansion drive aimed at strengthening its independent political footing ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Gram Panchayat elections, while also laying the groundwork for the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

In a clear indication that the party is prioritising cadre consolidation and booth-level mobilisation, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has entrusted his son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde with touring large parts of the state to energise the organisation and directly connect with grassroots workers.

Dr Shinde, who is also the Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader, will launch a constituency-wise interaction tour from May 16, covering 22 districts and over 100 Assembly constituencies across Maharashtra over nearly two months.

“This extensive tour from May 16 to July 15 is aimed at making the party organisation stronger, more capable and effective down to the booth level,” Shiv Sena secretary Bhausaheb Chaudhary told reporters.

Political observers view the exercise as part of the Shinde camp’s broader attempt to demonstrate organisational depth across Maharashtra amid the continuing battle for political legitimacy with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).

The outreach assumes significance as local body elections are expected to become the first major political test for all parties after the Assembly polls.

Notably, on March 30 this year, Eknath Shinde appointed chief coordinators for all 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra as part of an early preparation strategy for the next parliamentary elections. Dr Shinde was given charge of the politically crucial Mumbai and Thane regions, considered the traditional stronghold of the Sena.

Following his appointments, Dr Shinde conducted interaction tours in Mumbai and Thane and later expanded the outreach to parts of Marathwada and Western Maharashtra, regions where the Shinde faction is seeking to widen its organisational influence.

Ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections too, the junior Shinde had travelled across nearly 65 to 70 Assembly constituencies and interacted directly with local workers instead of relying solely on mass rallies.

“Rather than focusing only on large public meetings, he emphasised direct interaction with grassroots Shiv Sainiks and gathered local inputs to shape election strategies. Such organisational tours are extremely important for strengthening the party structure,” Chaudhary said.

According to party leaders, the upcoming statewide tour will focus heavily on booth management, local election preparedness, organisational appointments and coordination among various frontal wings of the party.

Special emphasis will also be laid on the appointment of BLAs and Shakha Pramukhs under the ongoing SIR campaign. Meetings will involve district chiefs, coordinators, taluka heads, Mahila Aghadi members, Yuva Sena office bearers and booth-level Shiv Sainiks.

Party leaders said discussions would centre around organisational weaknesses, local political challenges, election management and future strategy, particularly in regions where the party seeks to expand beyond its traditional urban pockets.

The first phase of the tour in May will cover Nashik, Dhule, Ahilyanagar, Beed, Amravati and Akola. The second phase in June will include Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Yavatmal, Washim, Nanded, Hingoli, Wardha, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, while the final phase in July will cover Buldhana, Jalna, Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Thane and Palghar.