In this in-depth interview, Newslaundry’s Manisha Pande sits down with Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena UBT leader and MLA from Worli, for a rare look at his perspective on the legacy of his grandfather, Balasaheb Thackeray. Aaditya opens up about the impact of Balasaheb’s hardline Hindutva stance, his controversial statements, and how these shape his own politics today.

The conversation moves through the charged politics of 1990s Mumbai, his reflections on the “machismo” once central to the Sena’s identity, and his college days – including his tryst with book burning and a call to remove Rohinton Mistry’s book from the university syllabus. 

Beyond legacy, Aaditya shares insights on his urban planning and environmental projects, weighing whether these resonate with grassroots voters. He explains why he thinks the Dharavi redevelopment plan is a sham. He also addresses speculation on his party’s potential return to the BJP alliance, his rapport with India alliance leaders, and the challenges of navigating coalition politics with the Congress.

Watch the full interview for a closer view of the man behind the campaign.

In times of misinformation, you need news you can trust. We’ve got you covered. Subscribe to Newslaundry and power our work.

Jharkhand and Maharashtra are set to vote soon, and our teams will hit the ground. Contribute to our new NL Sena project today.