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Earlier today, the Thackeray brothers indicated their willingness to unite for the interest of Maharashtra and Marathi people by keeping aside the differences between them.
Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray (File)
Thackeray brothers’ possible reunion: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday expressed happiness over a possible reunion of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
“We are happy that Thackeray brothers are coming together…they can comment on it in a better way….,” he said.
Earlier today, the Thackeray brothers indicated their willingness to unite for the interest of Maharashtra and Marathi people by keeping aside the differences between them.
In a candid interview with actor Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj Thackeray spoke on a range of topics, including Marathi identity, the upcoming Mumbai municipal elections, Eknath Shinde’s politics and a possible alliance with Uddhav Thackeray.
“The disputes and disagreements between us are minor, compared to greater causes. Maharashtra is far bigger than our personal issues. These matters are trivial in the fight for the existence of the Marathi identity. Coming together or working together isn’t a difficult thing—it’s only a matter of will. And it’s not just about me. I believe all Marathi people across political parties should unite and form a single front,” Raj Thackeray was quoted as saying by Loksatta.
Responding to Raj Thackeray’s message of unity, Uddhav Thackeray also said that he was ready to set aside minor differences for the sake of Maharashtra and stressed that he had put an end to all fights between the cousins.
Political observers believe that there is a possibility of the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) wishing to resolve their political differences in view of the civic body elections, including the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, due in the state. However, the schedule for the civic polls has not yet been announced.
Earlier in February this year, the Thackeray cousins were seen sharing a candid moment at a wedding function in Mumbai. Uddhav and Raj were seen together at the wedding of a government official, Mahendra Kalyankar’s son in Andheri, which further intensified speculation of a thaw in ties between the two parties.
Earlier in December 2024, Raj Thackeray attended the wedding reception of Shounak Patankar, Rashmi Thackeray’s nephew, in Bandra. However, Raj and Uddhav reportedly arrived at different times and did not meet. A few days later, both brothers appeared at the wedding of Raj Thackeray’s sister Jaywanti Thackeray-Deshpande’s son in Dadar.
Raj Thackeray left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 when he resigned from the party and announced MNS on 9 March 2006 in Mumbai. Since then, their political paths have diverged.
In the last year’s state assembly elections, the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is part of the opposition MVA, won 20 seats, while the MNS drew a blank.
