The Maharashtra government has reconstituted the Balasaheb Thackeray National Memorial Public Trust and appointed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as its chairman, marking his return to the leadership role of the body overseeing one of Mumbai’s most significant commemorative projects. The memorial, dedicated to Shiv Sena founder and iconic leader Bal Thackeray, is currently under construction at the mayor’s bungalow site at Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar area—a location closely associated with the late leader’s political journey and legacy.

The reconstitution of the trust was formalised through a government notification issued on Saturday. The order names Uddhav Thackeray, along with four other new members, as part of the restructured body tasked with supervising the memorial’s development. The move restores Uddhav’s position at the helm after several years, reflecting both political and administrative continuity in the project’s leadership.

According to the Government Resolution (GR) issued by the General Administration Department, former minister Subhash Desai has been appointed as secretary of the trust. Aaditya Thackeray—legislator, former minister, and Uddhav’s son—has been included as a member. The trust will also feature MLA Parag Alvani and former legislator Shishir Shinde as members, giving the body a mix of experienced political figures and individuals closely associated with the party’s organisational work.

In addition to these appointments, the trust will include five ex officio members: the chief secretary of Maharashtra, the principal secretary (urban development-II), the principal secretary (law and judiciary), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner, and two elected members from the BMC general body, who will fill the reserved seats. Their presence ensures that the trust benefits from administrative oversight and coordination with governmental agencies involved in urban development, legal matters, and municipal operations.

The tenure structure of the trust has also been clearly defined. Uddhav Thackeray, Subhash Desai, and Aaditya Thackeray will each serve a five-year term, while members Parag Alvani and Shishir Shinde will hold their positions for three years. These staggered tenures are in line with the trust’s operational framework and will allow for both continuity and periodic renewal.

The government has further authorised Subhash Desai to register the updated composition of the trust with the charity commissioner, in accordance with the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, and the Co-operative Societies Registration Act, 1960. This procedural step ensures legal compliance and formal acknowledgment of the trust’s restructuring.

The Balasaheb Thackeray National Memorial Public Trust was originally constituted on September 27, 2016, through a government resolution that initially appointed Uddhav Thackeray as chairman. However, he resigned from the post on November 25, 2019, coinciding with the end of the trust’s initial three-year term and his transition to the chief ministership of Maharashtra. The expiration of the trust’s tenure required fresh appointments, leading to a reorganisation of the body.

Subsequently, Aaditya Thackeray served as the chairman of the trust during the renewed term. His tenure, along with that of the other appointed members (excluding ex officio positions), came to an end on March 11, 2025, making another reconstitution necessary.

The reinstatement of Uddhav Thackeray as chairman marks another milestone in the ongoing effort to complete the memorial dedicated to his father, whose influence on Maharashtra’s political and cultural landscape continues to be profound. With the restructured trust now in place, the project is expected to move forward with renewed administrative clarity and leadership continuity.