Anand Dubey Resigns as Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson Over Party Stance

Anand Dubey, a prominent national spokesperson for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), has formally resigned from his position and primary membership within the party. The announcement, made on Monday, follows a period of mounting internal discontent regarding the party's current political trajectory and its recent silence on specific national incidents.The catalyst for Dubey's decision was the party's failure to publicly acknowledge or praise Captain Smit Machchhar, who gained national attention for his role in preventing an alleged hijacking attempt on an Israel-bound flight. According to reports, the incident occurred aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where Machchhar intervened after an Omani co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft. The flight was subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.Speaking to ANI, Dubey articulated his frustration, stating that he viewed the Captain as a hero. "My hero is Smit Machchhar, the man who demonstrated to the entire world, not just India, the immense power of Bajrangbali (Lord Hanuman)," Dubey remarked. He expressed profound disappointment that the party did not issue a single social media post to commend the pilot's actions during the high-stakes situation.In a wide-ranging statement, Dubey also distanced himself from the political narratives currently adopted by the opposition bloc, including the Shiv Sena (UBT). He explicitly rejected allegations regarding the integrity of the electoral process and the Election Commission. Challenging the party's stance, he noted, "Votes are not being stolen; it is the minds of some people that have been stolen. My heroes are not Sharjeel Imam or Umar Khalid; my hero is not Dhruv Rathee."The resignation highlights a deeper rift regarding the ideological foundations of the party. Dubey explained that his departure was not an impulsive act but the culmination of several months of silent distress. "For the past four or five years, I consistently articulated the party's stance on issues ranging from Maharashtra-specific matters to national and even international affairs," he said. He added that he felt increasingly unable to express the ideals of Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma, which he considers integral to his personal values.The Shiv Sena has seen significant internal shifts in recent years. Following its 2019 split from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party joined a coalition government with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Further divisions occurred in June 2022, when the organisation fractured into factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. The Election Commission of India later designated the Shinde-led faction as the official Shiv Sena, while the party led by Uddhav Thackeray was allotted the name Shiv Sena (UBT).Dubey’s departure marks a significant loss for the media wing of the Thackeray faction, as he was frequently seen as a leading voice for the party on television debates and public forums. His exit underscores the ongoing ideological challenges faced by the party as it navigates its role within the current political landscape in Maharashtra and at the national level.