Mumbai: The Thackeray family has run a powerful political party in Maharashtra without ever contesting elections itself.
However, the youngest Thackeray Aaditya broke the trend and becomes the first member of his family to take the poll plunge.
Mumbai, which is part of this vast region, alone accounts for 36 seats, but all eyes are on the Worli seat from where Shiv Sena youth leader Aaditya Thackeray is making his debut in electoral politics.
The Sena nominee Aaditya represents the aspirational Maharashtrian youth. His image-makers tried to project him as a suave, English speaking Sena leader.
Family background of Adiya Thackray:
Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, who has made family history by entering electoral politics, shares a passion for creativity with his grandfather, father and uncle.
His grandfather, the late Bal Thackeray, who founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, was a cartoonist, an art shared by his estranged uncle Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
His father, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, is a professional photographer. Aaditya Thackeray also shares his father's passion for photography.
Nine years ago, Balasaheb himself introduced his grandson in October 2010 and also named Aaditya as the head of the party's newly created youth wing.
Aaditya himself has admitted that he used to travel with his father and grandfather as a child and became interested in politics.
The Thackeray scion also represents the evolving culture and the emerging political scenario of the Sena as much has changed since the days of Balasaheb.
Professional life of Aditya:
A product of the Bombay Scottish School in suburban Mahim, Aaditya Thackeray is graduate in English Literature from St Xavier's College and has a Law degree from K C College.
Aaditya Thackeray's first book of poems, "My Thoughts in Black and White" was released in 2007 by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
He also wrote lyrics of a private album 'Ummeed'.
He hit headlines in 2010 for leading a protest against author Rohinton Mistry's book 'Such a Long Journey' in University of Mumbai's English Literature curriculum.
Since then, the youth leader has been at the helm of several such protests and campaigns.
A law graduate, Aaditya Thackeray has always managed to keep himself abreast of civic issues and concerns of the youth in the state.
Under Aaditya Thackeray's leadership, the Yuva Sena continues to dominate the Mumbai university Senate for the last two terms.
The young politician also sports a creative side like his grandfather, father and uncle.
Despite belonging to a political dynasty of sorts, Aaditya Thackeray is the first in his family to contest an election.
The Worli seat of Maharashtra has historically been a strong Shiv Sena bastion that will see Thackeray take on NCP nominee Suresh Mane, who is a Dalit leader.
The 29-year-old Sena leader says he wants to make the constituency a "model of development".
Several of his posters have been put up in the constituency in different languages, an indication that the Sena wants to reach out to non-Marathi voters as well, to ensure that junior Thackeray romps home with a big winning margin.
Aaditya is also trying to mark his presence by conducting roadshows, foot marches and raising issues like cutting of trees in Aarey Colony and Mumbai's nightlife.
His victory would be a turning point in Shiv Sena politics in Maharashtra as the party has demanded that he be made the deputy chief minister in case the BJP-Sena alliance retains power.
Aaditya wants to prove that he is not just another son of a powerful political family, but a grassroots leader in his own right. The upcoming contest will be an acid test for Aaditya.
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