Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, along with his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, has created ripples in Maharashtra politics with recent statements hinting at a possible reunion ahead of civic body elections across the state.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said that the two brothers would decide on the alliance. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, 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. We have accepted what Uddhav Ji said: for Maharashtra, if we (MNS and Shiv Sena-UBT) need to come together, we will. Uddhav Ji has never talked about any terms and conditions."
"Uddhav Ji said that there are a few parties who claim to be well-wishers of Maharashtra, but they are actually enemies of Maharashtra. They broke Balasaheb's Shiv Sena to attack the pride of Maharashtra, and we should not have any relations with such parties. Only then can we be true Maharashtrians. This is not a condition, but the sentiment of the people of Maharashtra—and this is what Uddhav Ji has said," he added.
Notably, MNS chief Raj Thackeray recently expressed willingness to reunite with Uddhav Thackeray by setting aside past differences. Surprisingly, Uddhav Thackeray also responded positively to Raj Thackeray’s statement, saying he was ready to put aside disputes for the sake of the Marathi language and Maharashtra.
The possibility of the Thackeray cousins coming together has stirred reactions from leaders across party lines in Maharashtra. Reacting to the developments, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the possibility of a reunion between the estranged cousins, stating, “If the two come together, we will be happy about it. If people settle their differences, it is a good thing. What else can I say about it?”
