At 40, Shiv Sena faces midlife crisis

Mahrashtra: The Shiv Sena will turn 40 on Monday.

However, the celebrations are likely to be muted as the morale of the Shiv Sainiks is down after the recent setbacks.

Bal Thackeray's nephew Raj had recently floated his own party and Bal Thackeray himself is now in the party in just an advisory capacity with the party being led by his son Uddhav Thackeray.

In 2005, the party had faced a major electoral defeat in the Konkan region, once a Shiv Sena stronghold.

In recent months, Bal Thackeray's health has also been a major concern for party functionaries.

Formed in 1966 by Balasaheb Thackeray, the Shiv Sena is best remembered for its stint with the BJP in the combined government at the state from 1995 to 1999. It is now the main Opposition party in Maharashtra.

However, recently 300 students activists returned to the folds of the Senaand with the party turning 40 on Monday, this couldn't have come at a better time.