Meet Varun Sardesai, the architect of Yuva Sena's victory in senate polls

With Yuva Sena candidates winning in the recent Mumbai University senate elections Varun Sardesai a 31yearold confidante of Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackerays son Aaditya Thackeray has announced his arrival on the citys political sceneA rising star in Yuva Sena Varun played a pivotal role in securing a significant win for Shiv Sena UBT in the Mumbai University Registered Graduates Senate Elections Cousin to Aaditya Thackeray Varun has quickly risen through the ranks of Shiv Sena gaining a reputation as a firebrand leader with a sharp political mindAddressing the media after the win Sardesai said this is our first win in the university senate after the Shiv Sena split and despite several attempts by the ruling party to sabotage the processA civil engineering graduate from a university in the United States resident of Vile Parle Varun Sardesai is the son of Aadityarsquos maternal aunt Going forward his relation to the Thackerays wont be his only identity Its his strategic acumen and aggressive leadership that have propelled him to prominence within the Yuva Sena Over the past few years Varun has spearheaded several highprofile protests solidifying his position as a powerful voice within the partyOne of Varunrsquos most notable moments came in April last year when he led a massive protest against Independent lawmakers MP Navneet Rana and MLA Ravi Rana The Ranas had publicly challenged the Thackerays by vowing to chant the Hanuman Chalisa outside their residence Matoshree Varun quickly mobilized thousands of Sainiks to gather outside the Ranasrsquo house in Khar staging a 48hour protest that forced the couple to back down This highstakes showdown showcased his ability to rally the partyrsquos base in moments of crisisVarun has also led protests against key political opponents including a noisy demonstration outside Union Minister Narayan Ranersquos bungalow in response to his antiUddhav Thackeray remarks His willingness to confront senior politicians has earned him respect and a reputation for fearlessnessBehind the scenes Varun has been instrumental in shaping Yuva Senarsquos election strategies for years Although officially appointed as the youth wings secretary in 2018 insiders reveal that his influence dates back much earlier He has played a key role in crafting election strategies managing data collection and overseeing party surveysmdashskills that have helped him drive victories across multiple electionsHowever his journey has not been without hurdles Following the Sena split Sardesai faced criticism from several within Yuva Sena including a close aide of Thackeray who defected to the Shinde faction accusing him of excessive interference in the organizationrsquos daily affairsVarun Sardesais contribution has been 100 percent all under the guidance of our Aaditya Saheb From nominations to registrations to followups and promoting the work wersquove done over the years Varun has been a strong pillar for us throughout Despite the delays and multiple election cancellations he has stood by us unwaveringly Not only did he support us as candidates but he also worked tirelessly running around to ensure this victory was possible said Pradeep Sawant one of the Yuva Senas winning candidatesDespite his close ties to Matoshree Varun is a grassroots leader who works closely with the cadre which speaks volumes about his leadership potential He has a long political journey ahead Sawant addedWith his recent success in the Mumbai University Senate elections and his increasing role within the party Varun Sardesai is emerging as a key player in the future of Shiv Sena As he continues to rise his blend of grassroots activism strategic thinking and bold leadership will likely make him one of the most influential young politicians in Maharashtrarsquos political landscapeCurrently there is a buzz in political circles that Sardesai is eyeing a ticket from Shiv Sena UBT and MVA to contest from Bandra east constituency for upcoming state assembly elections