A new development in Maharashtra or Marathi politics was seen on 5 July at the NSCI ground in Mumbai, where Bala Saheb Thackeray’s legacy of politics of politics was seen on stage after twenty years later, cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray came on the stage in front of the huge crowd. The direct opportunity was to celebrate the Maharashtra government’s decision to withdraw the controversial Tri-language policy in primary schools in the state. This step was being seen like imposing Hindi in the state. At this ‘Vijay’ rally in Worli, Mumbai, Uddhav indicated that the upcoming municipal corporation elections can be fought together. Amidst the huge crowd, Uddhav said, “We have come together to live together. Together we will gain power in Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Maharashtra. Our strength should be in our unity. Whenever a crisis comes, we come together. ”
Uddhav Shiv Sena is the son of founder Bala Saheb Thackeray and Raj is the son of his brother Srikanth Thackeray. Both of them were last on a platform for campaigning for the Malvan assembly seat in 2005. After that, there was a difference of opinion between the two with the legacy of Bala Saheb Thackeray in the Shiv Sena. The quarrel grew so much that in 2005, Raj Thackeray had to leave the party. He founded the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in 2006 and since then the two parties have been contesting against each other. But twenty years later, he has been united for the issue of linguistic identity of Maharashtra directly. But there is an indication that they may contest other elections together in Asann Brihanm Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Maharashtra.
The Thackeray family has a long legacy in the political scenario of Maharashtra. This heritage is associated with Keshav Thackeray, who is known as Prabodhankar Thackeray. He was a prominent leader of the United Maharashtra movement, which led to the formation of the state on linguistic basis. The two brothers add heritage, but the politics of both is different.
So, are the reasons for solidarity political? Of course, its signs are many and the results of the recent assembly elections have raised the alarm bell for both. But the question remains whether this partnership is sustainable. However, Uddhav Thackeray said at the Mumbai rally, “We have come together to stay together.” Still questions are many. Uddhav is the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with the Congress and the NCP etc. is an important part of the alliance. Raj is the head of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which emphasizes the rights and identity of Marathi Manush. Their politics is at the opposite end: Uddhav is a more secular, tilt towards a coalition-based approach, while Raj is known for his staunch Marathi pro-stance.
As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Mumbai president Preeti Sharma Menon says, “They are standing on one platform on an issue, but it is very difficult for him to unite politically.” Raj is Dhulamul and has repeatedly changed. ”Raj campaigned for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and has often praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But before that he has severely criticized NDA and Modi-Amit Shah. Menon further says, “Raj’s political agenda has not been stable. But if it remains an alliance, it can become a big force. ”
The background of this reunion is important. The disappointing performance of MVA in the 2024 state assembly elections led to a rift in the alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana had indicated that the party would contest the upcoming Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections independently. Shortly thereafter, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that during the assembly elections, the seat -sharing was lost in the elections due to 20 days of useless conversation. Apparently, the target was on Uddhav Thackeray.
Former MLA Krishna Hegde, who is now in the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), states an important thing, “No major MVA leader attended the Thackeray brothers’ program. The invitation was sent directly to Raj on behalf of Uddhav. This indicates that the program was out of the purview of MVA and can also damage the status of alliance among North Indian voters. ‘
The MNS has been in a constant political headlines, but has not been able to perform a special performance in the elections. She won 13 seats in the 2009 assembly elections, which was her best performance. Since then, the party won only one seat in the 2014 and 2019 elections. In 2024, Raj’s son Amit Thackeray made his political debut from Mahim constituency, which was once a MNS stronghold, but he lost by a big margin.
Nevertheless, Raj keeps making headlines and fiery. The recent uproar over the language issue in Mumbai and other parts of the state has resulted a debate on cultural and linguistic identity, which is a fertile land for MNS’s rhetoric.
At the NSCI rally, Raj called his party workers for the use of Marathi language in public places. He warned the MNS workers, “Do not attack anyone if Marathi is not spoken.” But if someone does a meaningless drama, then kill him under his ear. “These things have jumped a lot, which gives a feeling of his strength of polarization in Maharashtra politics.
Uddhav and Raj’s coming together on linguistic issue indicates to focus on cultural advocacy. It can also prove to be a strategic step before the important Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections to be held at the end of this year.
Local bodies are scheduled to be held soon in many other cities of Mumbai and Maharashtra. The shared agenda between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will be gained against the BJP -backed coalition government in the state. During the assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) had won only 20 seats by contesting 92 seats and MNS, who contested the election alone, suffered a major setback as it had to face defeat in all 135 seats.
Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde faction won 57 seats and formed a government with a group of Ajit Pawar of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party. Last year, the BJP -led Mahayuti alliance won 235 seats in the 288 -member assembly of Maharashtra.
