A fresh controversy has rocked Maharashtra politics after Shiv Sena played an AI-generated audio clip that mimicked the voice of its founder, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, during a rally in Nashik. This move reignited tensions between the two factions of Shiv Sena and sparked a fierce war of words between Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut.
What Sparked the Controversy?
The controversy centers around a 13-minute AI-created audio clip that the Shiv Sena showcased at a public gathering. The voice in the clip closely resembled Bal Thackeray’s, prompting critics to accuse the party of manipulating public sentiment for political gain.
Shinde Slams Shiv Sena (UBT)
Eknath Shinde didn’t hold back. He strongly criticized Uddhav Thackeray’s faction for using artificial intelligence to exploit Balasaheb’s image. He declared, “Instead of honoring Balasaheb’s ideals, they’ve stooped to creating fake AI videos. If they have any dignity left, they should stop these childish stunts that tarnish Balasaheb’s memory.”
He went further, accusing Uddhav of betraying his father’s vision. “We rescued Shiv Sena from Congress’s grip,” Shinde said. “People didn’t just remove them from power — they erased them from their hearts.”
Since leading a rebellion in 2022 that split the party, Shinde has positioned his faction as the true inheritor of Balasaheb’s Hindutva legacy. The AI audio controversy has only intensified his efforts to claim that legitimacy.
Raut Fires Back With Sharp Criticism
Sanjay Raut, however, quickly fired back. He accused Shinde of selling out Bal Thackeray’s legacy. “You didn’t preserve Balasaheb’s party — you bought it and handed it over,” Raut said bluntly.
He also criticized the alliance between Shinde’s faction and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), arguing that it contradicts the founding values of Shiv Sena. According to Raut, invoking Balasaheb’s name while aligning with the BJP reveals political hypocrisy.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a war of words. It’s a high-stakes battle for political legitimacy and emotional resonance with voters. Both factions continue to claim Balasaheb’s ideology as their foundation, but their methods and messaging differ sharply.
More importantly, the use of AI-generated content in political campaigns has raised ethical concerns. Many are now questioning whether political leaders should digitally recreate voices of the deceased — especially for electoral influence.
Final Thoughts
The escalating fight between Eknath Shinde and Sanjay Raut highlights a deeper identity crisis within the Shiv Sena. Both leaders want to own Balasaheb’s legacy, but their approaches keep pushing the party’s factions further apart.
As elections approach, voters must decide: do AI-driven tributes reflect genuine admiration, or are they attempts to revive legacy through artificial means?