NEW DELHI: The political landscape of Maharashtra witnessed an interesting development as estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray indicated a possible reconciliation after two decades.
"I am ready to come together (with Raj Thackeray). I am ready to come forward in the interest of Maharashtra, keeping aside minor incidents. I have put an end to all fights. The interest of Maharashtra is my priority," former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray was quoted as saying by news agency ANI during his address at the 57th annual general meeting of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena .
Raj Thackeray echoed a similar sentiment, saying that "coming together is not difficult" and that differences between cousins are "proving costly for the existence of Maharashtra and Marathi people".
"The disputes and fights between Uddhav and me are minor -- Maharashtra is much bigger than all that. These differences are proving costly for the existence of Maharashtra and the Marathi people," Raj Thackeray was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
"Coming together is not difficult, it’s a matter of will. It’s not just about my desire or selfishness. We need to look at the bigger picture. All Marathi people across political parties should unite and form a single party," he added.
Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, however, said that the talks on the potential alliance is "only emotional" as of now and no decision has been taken.
"There is no alliance (between MNS and Shiv Sena -UBT) as of now, only emotional talks are going on," Raut said.
"Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are brothers. We have been together for years. Our relationship has not broken. Both brothers will decide (about the alliance)," he added.
The potential reunion has sparked varied reactions across the political parties.
'Good thing'
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the possibility of a political reunion between estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, calling it a “good” development.
“If the two come together, we will be happy about it. If people settle their differences, it’s a good thing. What else can I say about it? I also appeal to all Marathi people to come together for the benefit of Maharashtra and Marathi,” Fadnavis said.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said it was entirely up to Raj Thackeray whether or not to align with Uddhav Thackeray.
“It is Raj Thackeray's prerogative whether to join hands with Uddhav Thackeray or not. He can decide his party's future. The BJP has no objection to it,” Bawankule said.
Shinde gets irked
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, on the other hand, appeared irked when asked about the possible alliance between the Thackeray brothers.
Shinde seemed visibly irritated and brushed off the reporter’s mic. He asked the reporter to focus on the government's work instead.
“Talk about work,” Shinde said.
'BJP is causing harm to Maharashtra'
State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said if the two Thackeray families came together, there was no reason to object.
"When Raj Thackeray says his issues with Uddhav Thackeray are not bigger than Maharashtra, he must be hinting that BJP is causing harm to Maharashtra.. that investment is going out of Maharashtra," he said in Pune. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are allies at present.
"The BJP is trying to undermine the language and culture of Maharashtra, and Raj Thackeray's stand seems to endorse this view," he added.
'Two zeros always make a zero'
However, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske expressed skepticism over the possibility of reconciliation, pointing to past tensions between the two.
“Uddhav Thackeray had threatened to leave the house if Raj Thackeray was given any responsibility. He even opposed Raj’s visits to party branches in Mumbai and differentiated between his supporters. Uddhav should answer why he opposed Raj Thackeray,” Mhaske said.
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam took a jibe at the potential alliance, dismissing it as electorally irrelevant. “Two zeros always make a zero,” he said.
“Uddhav aligned with Congress and relied on Muslim votes. Now, realising that this strategy hasn’t worked, he is leaning toward Raj Thackeray. This is not about Maharashtra’s interest—it’s about personal survival. Even together, they cannot pose a challenge to Mahayuti,” Nirupam added.
'If Balasaheb Thackeray were alive ...'
Meanwhile, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule said the move should be welcomed if it is in the interest of the state.
“Raj Thackeray said that the state’s issues are bigger than their personal dispute. That is happy news to me. If Balasaheb Thackeray were alive, he would have been very happy today,” Sule said.
“If the two brothers are coming together for Maharashtra, we should welcome it wholeheartedly,” she added.
"I am ready to come together (with Raj Thackeray). I am ready to come forward in the interest of Maharashtra, keeping aside minor incidents. I have put an end to all fights. The interest of Maharashtra is my priority," former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray was quoted as saying by news agency ANI during his address at the 57th annual general meeting of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena .
Raj Thackeray echoed a similar sentiment, saying that "coming together is not difficult" and that differences between cousins are "proving costly for the existence of Maharashtra and Marathi people".
"The disputes and fights between Uddhav and me are minor -- Maharashtra is much bigger than all that. These differences are proving costly for the existence of Maharashtra and the Marathi people," Raj Thackeray was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
"Coming together is not difficult, it’s a matter of will. It’s not just about my desire or selfishness. We need to look at the bigger picture. All Marathi people across political parties should unite and form a single party," he added.
Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, however, said that the talks on the potential alliance is "only emotional" as of now and no decision has been taken.
"There is no alliance (between MNS and Shiv Sena -UBT) as of now, only emotional talks are going on," Raut said.
"Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are brothers. We have been together for years. Our relationship has not broken. Both brothers will decide (about the alliance)," he added.
The potential reunion has sparked varied reactions across the political parties.
'Good thing'
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the possibility of a political reunion between estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, calling it a “good” development.
“If the two come together, we will be happy about it. If people settle their differences, it’s a good thing. What else can I say about it? I also appeal to all Marathi people to come together for the benefit of Maharashtra and Marathi,” Fadnavis said.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said it was entirely up to Raj Thackeray whether or not to align with Uddhav Thackeray.
“It is Raj Thackeray's prerogative whether to join hands with Uddhav Thackeray or not. He can decide his party's future. The BJP has no objection to it,” Bawankule said.
Shinde gets irked
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, on the other hand, appeared irked when asked about the possible alliance between the Thackeray brothers.
Shinde seemed visibly irritated and brushed off the reporter’s mic. He asked the reporter to focus on the government's work instead.
“Talk about work,” Shinde said.
'BJP is causing harm to Maharashtra'
State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said if the two Thackeray families came together, there was no reason to object.
"When Raj Thackeray says his issues with Uddhav Thackeray are not bigger than Maharashtra, he must be hinting that BJP is causing harm to Maharashtra.. that investment is going out of Maharashtra," he said in Pune. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are allies at present.
"The BJP is trying to undermine the language and culture of Maharashtra, and Raj Thackeray's stand seems to endorse this view," he added.
'Two zeros always make a zero'
However, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske expressed skepticism over the possibility of reconciliation, pointing to past tensions between the two.
“Uddhav Thackeray had threatened to leave the house if Raj Thackeray was given any responsibility. He even opposed Raj’s visits to party branches in Mumbai and differentiated between his supporters. Uddhav should answer why he opposed Raj Thackeray,” Mhaske said.
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam took a jibe at the potential alliance, dismissing it as electorally irrelevant. “Two zeros always make a zero,” he said.
“Uddhav aligned with Congress and relied on Muslim votes. Now, realising that this strategy hasn’t worked, he is leaning toward Raj Thackeray. This is not about Maharashtra’s interest—it’s about personal survival. Even together, they cannot pose a challenge to Mahayuti,” Nirupam added.
'If Balasaheb Thackeray were alive ...'
Meanwhile, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule said the move should be welcomed if it is in the interest of the state.
“Raj Thackeray said that the state’s issues are bigger than their personal dispute. That is happy news to me. If Balasaheb Thackeray were alive, he would have been very happy today,” Sule said.
“If the two brothers are coming together for Maharashtra, we should welcome it wholeheartedly,” she added.
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