Balasaheb Thackeray’s son and Uddhav Thackeray’s elder brother Jaidev Thackeray has joined the Shinde group. Jaidev Thakre attended the ongoing Dussehra Mela at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. He also said that he is joining the Shinde group. Nihar Thackeray has already joined the Eknath Shinde group. He is the son of Uddhav Thackeray’s late brother Bindumadhav Thackeray. Smita Thackeray was also present for this rally.
Jaidev Thackeray said, “We Thackerays never deliver a scripted speech. Eknath is my favorite. He has now become the chief minister. I should call him Eknathrao. For the last five to six days I am getting phone calls inquiring if I have joined the Shinde group.”
“Let me make it clear that I am a Thackeray who does not believe in joining some group. But Eknath Shinde has taken a stand on certain issues. I liked that. Such an active person is what Maharashtra needs. Therefore, for the sake of his love, I have come here,” he further said.
Jaidev Thackeray added, “We have a history with the name Eknath. There was a Saint Eknath. Then, recently, we saw another Eknath (Eknath Khadse). His companions only finished his political career. Don’t isolate this Eknath now. He should not become a lonely Nath. Let him be Eknath only. That is all I can request from you all. Dismiss all, hold re-elections in the state. Let there be a Shinde regime in the state.”
Balasaheb Thackeray, in his will, had bequeathed a majority of his property to Uddhav Thackeray. Jaidev Thackeray was not given any share in the property. According to his will, Bal Thackeray left all of his assets to Uddhav Thackeray and members of his close family, with the exception of the first floor of his three-story “Matoshree” bungalow in suburban Bandra. The family bungalow’s first floor was left to Aishvarya, the son of Jaidev and his ex-wife Smita.
Jaidev Thackeray filed a suit challenging the will of December 13, 2011, after Balasaheb Thackeray’s death in November 2012. In January 2013, Uddhav Thackeray petitioned the high court seeking to probate his father’s Will. In November 2018, Jaidev Thackeray withdrew his suit citing any reason.