Uddhav Thackeray, son of Bal Thackeray, became the 19th Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 28 November 2019. |
Before politics, Uddhav was a published author and professional photographer but was initially reluctant to join politics. |
His wife, Rashmi Thackeray, hails from Dombivali, Mumbai, and they married on 13 December 1988 after meeting in college. |
He started an advertising agency named "Chowrang" before closing it down due to lack of success. |
Rashmi Thackeray encouraged Uddhav to enter politics and has been influential in Shiv Sena's decisions. |
Uddhav is known as a dedicated Shiv Sainik who has worked at the grassroots level in Maharashtra, contributing to political victories. |
Taking charge in 2002, Uddhav led the Shiv Sena to success in the BMC elections, catching public attention. |
Similar to his father Bal Thackeray, Uddhav focuses solely on serving the people of Maharashtra rather than involving himself in national politics. |
His cousin Raj Thackeray left Shiv Sena in 2006 to establish the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). |
Since June 2006, Uddhav has been the Editor in Chief of "Saamana," the Shiv Sena's political mouthpiece. |
Uddhav's elder son, Aditya Thackeray, heads the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Shiv Sena. |
In July 2012, Uddhav underwent an angioplasty at Lilavati Hospital due to chest pain, successfully removing all three blockages in his arteries. |
A photography enthusiast, he has released two photo-books: "Maharashtra Desh" (2010) and "Pahava Vitthal" (2011). |
After the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Uddhav navigated a political conflict with BJP over seat-sharing, leading to the Shiv Sena forming a new alliance with NCP and Congress. |
Breaking a 30-year alliance, Shiv Sena aligned with NCP and Congress in December 2019 to form the government, naming Uddhav as the Chief Minister. |
On 28 November 2019, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the Governor of Maharashtra, administered the oath as Uddhav Thackeray became the 19th Chief Minister of Maharashtra. |