With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2025 fast approaching, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has announced the revival of one of its oldest organisational arms, the Sthaniya Lokadhikar Samiti Mahasangh (SLSM), aiming to reconnect with the party’s traditional Marathi workforce base. The newly revamped body, modelled on the original organisation founded by Bal Thackeray, is designed to secure employment opportunities for local youth in public sector undertakings and banks.
The formal launch of the SLSM will take place on October 9 at the Birla Matoshree Sabhagriha. Senior Shiv Sena leader and MP Gajanan Kirtikar, who previously headed the undivided party’s SLSM, will lead the initiative under the Shinde faction. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Kirtikar said, “Balasaheb had set up SLSM to fight the hardships faced by the Marathi manoos. Late Sudhir Joshi was the first head, I was the general secretary, and later I took charge. Anil Desai now heads it in the UBT faction, while I will lead it in our party.”
According to Kirtikar, the revived SLSM already boasts 1,500 delegates, with another 3,000 expected to join soon, and has secured office space near Breach Candy Hospital. Units have been established across major institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Mumbai Port Authority, Railways, Mazagon Dock, and Naval Dockyard. He added, “With global job opportunities tightening and competition in Mumbai rising, we want to ensure Marathi youth don’t lose out. We’ll stand firmly with them.”
Kirtikar emphasised the SLSM’s significance in the party’s political strategy, stating, “Just as the RSS works for the BJP, SLSM was the Sena’s backbone in every public sector unit. The revived wing will play a strong role in helping the Shiv Sena during the BMC elections.”
The revival has received strong backing from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who has appointed several key figures to strengthen the organisation. His son and MP Shrikant Shinde will serve as working president, while Arun More takes on the role of working secretary.
