The Shiv Sena may have had its worst showing in more than two decades, but its leader, Uddhav Thackeray, refuses to accepts defeat. 
 
On Monday, he once again blamed estranged cousin Raj for dividing the Marathi vote, but offered this olive branch to voters. "Balasaheb was not targeting the Marathi Manoos. He was expressing his frustration. I think the Marathi Manoos understands that."
 
In a weekend editorial in his party's mouthpiece, Saamna, Bal Thackeray had attacked Maharashtrians who voted for Raj's party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
 
The MNS' role in  reducing the Shiv Sena to fourth position in Maharashtra  has exposed a new chink in the armour. It stands exposed when NDTV asks Uddhav, "Will you side with other parties who are fighting for the Marathi Manoos in the Assembly?" As Executive Working President of the Sena, Uddhav responds, "Let that situation arise. We will always side with any issues that concern the Marathi Manoos."
 
 
There is reason for Uddhav to be flexible. The MNS has won many traditional Sena strongholds, defeating veteran candidates on their turf. Demoralized party workers will have to be rejuvenated by a leadership that, some say, currently offers more rhetoric than direction.