In a scathing editorial published on March 19, 2025, in its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of elevating Mughal emperor Aurangzeb above Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered Maratha icon.

The provocative headline, “Aurangzeb is BJP’s new Shivaji,” encapsulates the party’s charge that the BJP has abandoned its historical admiration for Shivaji—known for his resistance against Mughal rule, including Aurangzeb—in favor of political opportunism.

The editorial, dripping with sarcasm, alleges that the BJP exploits Shivaji’s legacy for electoral gain while subtly aligning with narratives that undermine his significance.

It points to recent debates, including calls from some BJP affiliates to demolish Aurangzeb’s tomb, as evidence of a contradictory stance that glorifies confrontation over reverence. For Shiv Sena (UBT), this represents a betrayal of Maharashtra’s cultural ethos, where Shivaji is not just a historical figure but a symbol of pride and identity.

This salvo underscores the deepening rift between the two former allies, now bitter rivals in Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape. While the BJP has yet to formally respond, the accusation taps into a broader narrative war over historical figures and their modern-day interpretations. Shiv Sena (UBT) positions itself as the true guardian of Shivaji’s legacy, casting the BJP as a party willing to dilute regional heroes for national agendas.

As the controversy simmers, it raises questions about the BJP’s balancing act between its Hindutva ideology and regional sensitivities—a tension that could shape voter sentiment in the state ahead of future BMC Elections.