Born on January 23, 1926
Began his career at cartoonist in Free Press Journal but left in 1960 to launch a Marathi weekly Marmik
In 1966 formed Shiv Sena to take up cause of Marathi Manoos and give Maharashtrians its due place in Mumbai
Ran vitrolic campaign against south Indians, Gujarathis, Marwaris and later against residents of UP and Bihar to pursue Mi Marathi
Sided with Congress which used Sena to take on communists in Mumbai
Systematically built up its constituency to popularise itself among Marathi Manoos and later grabbed Mumbai civic body.
Earlier, supported Congress candidate in the Mayoral elections
Consolidated its position by wooing OBCs in Marathwada and Vidarbha
Formed alliance in 1989 with BJP to aggressive take up Hindutva cause
Aggressively campaigned and together won 94 seats in 1990 Maharashtra Assembly Seats
Successfully encashed anti incumbency and routed Congress in 1995 elections to form the Shivshahi rule in Maharashtra
Performed as "remote control" of the Sena-BJP alliance during 1995 and 1999
On July 28, 1999 Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting in any election for six years till December 10, 2005 on the recommendation on Election Commission. Subsequently, voting ban was lifted in 2005.
Sena has been ruling BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation since 2007, got re-elected in 2012 polls despite Congress-NCP contested in an alliance
Sena-BJP alliance failed to unseat Congress-NCP alliance since 1999
After its OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal left the party to join in 1991, it was turn of Narayan Rane, a former chief minister, to severe its links in 2005 to join Congress
Annointed his son Uddhav as party's executive president which disappointed Thackeray's nephew Raj who ultimately left the party in 2006 to form Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
In his pre recorded speech at Dussera rally on October 24, 2012 Thackeray without naming Raj called for taking care of Uddhav and his son Aditya who is heading Yuva Sena, party's youth front
