Shiv Sena (UBT) Splinters: Tiwari’s Ouster Signals Uddhav Thackeray’s Tightrope
After the expulsion, Tiwari said Karyakartas are used as toilet paper in the party, and I have no regrets (now).
In a dramatic turn of events, the Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, has expelled its national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari from the party. The decision came after Tiwari, a prominent farm activist from Yavatmal, publicly criticised senior party leaders in an interview with a television channel, sparking internal unrest within the faction.
Tiwari, known for his outspoken advocacy on farmers' issues, had targeted key figures such as Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, party secretary Vinayak Raut, Arvind Sawant, and Sushma Andhare, accusing them of alienating the party’s old cadre and drifting from its foundational ideology. He suggested replacing these leaders with younger members to revitalise the organisation, a stance that drew sharp backlash from the party leadership.
The expulsion was formally announced by Shiv Sena (UBT) stating that Tiwari’s remarks undermined its unity and discipline. "Kishore Tiwari has been relieved from his position as national spokesperson with immediate effect," read an official statement from the party’s communication wing, signaling a swift response to his dissent.
Tiwari's political journey with Shiv Sena has mostly been marked by turbulence. Initially a BJP loyalist, he headed the Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM) - a State Government task force addressing the agrarian crisis, under the then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in 2015. He joined Shiv Sena in 2019 ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls, aligning with Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. However, his tenure has been fraught with friction, including his resignation from VNSSM during the BJP's return to power following the Sena split in 2022, due to his vocal criticism of the saffron party.
Reacting to his removal, Tiwari said, “Karyakartas are used like toilet paper in the party. I have no regrets, but I’m surprised this action was taken despite my strong defense of the party on news channels”.
Subsequently, the party has called meetings of its MLAs and MPs on February 25 to strategise its next steps, as Tiwari’s future political alignment remains a subject of speculation in Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape.
