The speculation gained momentum when Uddhav stated on Saturday (April 19) that he is willing to set aside minor disagreements, provided that individuals undermining Maharashtra’s interests will not be accommodated—a subtle nod to Raj hosting Shiv Sena head and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde at his home.
In a podcast interview with actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar released on Saturday, Raj expressed no qualms about collaborating with Uddhav during their time in the unified Shiv Sena. Raj questioned whether Uddhav is interested in working together. “
For a broader purpose, our disagreements are insignificant. Maharashtra is vast. In light of the well-being of the Marathi populace, these disputes are indeed trivial. I believe coming together and staying united is feasible. However, the real issue is the willingness to do so.
“It isn’t about my desires or selfish interests. We must focus on the bigger picture. All Maharashtrians should unite under one party,” Raj remarked when asked if the two estranged cousins might reunite politically. He emphasized that personal egos should not dictate such minor issues.
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In response to Raj, Uddhav told Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters, “I am also prepared to overlook minor concerns and urge everyone to unite for the benefit of Marathi manoos.”
While refraining from naming his cousin, Uddhav indicated that had the MNS president opposed Maharashtra’s investments shifting to Gujarat, a government prioritizing state interests could have emerged in both Delhi and Maharashtra.
“It’s unacceptable to support (the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections), then oppose (during the state assembly elections), and later negotiate. This cannot continue.
“First, we must agree that anyone working against Maharashtra’s interests will not be welcomed here; you cannot visit their homes and share meals. Then we can discuss Maharashtra’s interests,” Uddhav stated, affirming his readiness to overlook minor differences.
“I maintain that I have no disputes with anyone, and if there are, I am resolving them. But we must first reach a consensus on what constitutes the interests of Maharashtra. Ultimately, all Marathi people should determine if they align with the BJP or with me,” Uddhav added.
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Notably, Uddhav’s remarks come at a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) contests the “imposition” of Hindi in Maharashtra, following state government’s approval of a three-language formula under the NEP.
Raj, nephew of late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, resigned from his uncle’s party in January 2006 and subsequently established the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, emphasizing a strong regional identity. He has sharply criticized Uddhav Thackeray, holding him responsible for his departure from Shiv Sena.
After securing 13 seats in the 2009 assembly elections, the MNS has gradually declined and is now marginalized in Maharashtra politics. The party currently lacks representation in the legislative assembly due to a dwindling voter base.
In the recent assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) secured only 20 seats, while Raj Thackeray’s party failed to win any, with even Raj’s son Amit losing his first poll contest. The buzz regarding reconciliation surfaces ahead of civic elections in Mumbai as Shiv Sena (UBT) realizes it must confront the faction led by Shinde and the BJP to defend its stronghold in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, addressing the speculation surrounding the potential reconciliation between the feuding cousins, state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal remarked that if two families are mending ties, there should be no objection.
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“When Raj Thackeray states that his conflicts with Uddhav Thackeray pale in comparison to the interests of Maharashtra, he is likely implying that the BJP is detrimental to the state. He seems to be suggesting that investments are departing from Maharashtra. His statement could also indicate that the BJP and Mahayuti are attempting to undermine the very foundation of the state,” he stated to reporters in Pune.
Sapkal emphasized Maharashtra’s tradition of inclusive governance, rooted in the philosophies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, and B.R. Ambedkar.
“The BJP seeks to fracture the language and culture of Maharashtra, and Raj Thackeray’s recent stance appears to affirm this perspective,” he continued. In the spirit of ‘Bharat Jodo,’ he remarked, “If two families are uniting, there should be no objections. Such bonds should be welcomed.”
