As of October 27, 2026, counting is underway for five seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC). With the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party involved in related political activity, developments are being closely watched.
- Shiv Sena's defense of activists — The party supports youth activists arrested during protests.
The Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, has been vocal in its support for youth activists who signed peace undertakings after their arrests during demonstrations in New Delhi. In a recent editorial published in their mouthpiece, Saamana, the party criticized the backlash against these activists, arguing that signing such undertakings should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. Instead, they emphasized that preventive legal measures are a necessary aspect of civic engagement and should not be seen as a failure to uphold democratic rights.
This defense of the activists by the Shiv Sena comes as it navigates its own political challenges. As the counting progresses, the fallout from these events will likely influence public perception of the Shiv Sena and its rivals.
