Maharashtra Politics: There is a new twist in Maharashtra politics. After decades -old differences and walking on different paths, there are signs of proximity between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray again. These are the same two leaders who were once at the center of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray’s politics, but had separated the roads about 20 years ago.
Addressing a public meeting recently, Uddhav Thackeray invited Raj Thackeray to come together indirectly, based on Marathi Asmita and Hindutva. He said, “I am ready to forget small controversies. Everyone should unite for Maharashtra and Marathi interest. But dual policy will not work-on one hand joining hands with BJP and then protesting, it will not solve any solution.” She also clarified that the Marathi people would have to decide whether she will “stand with Uddhav Thackeray for Hindutva or with BJP.” He also appealed to take a distance from “thieves” by taking an oath of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Where did you start talking about coming together
In this sequence, famous actor and director Mahesh Manjrekar asked Raj Thackeray in an interview whether he and Uddhav Thackeray could re -unite. To this, Raj Thackeray replied that he is ready to come together on “Maharashtra and Marathi issues” – “But there should be a desire from the front too.”
Raj Thackeray had said while leaving the Shiv Sena years ago that he was resentful not from Balasaheb Thackeray (whom he called Vitthal), but from the people around him. After separating, he established the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena with the slogan of ‘Jai Maharashtra’ and took a tough stand on the issues of Marathi identity. In 2009, MNS also showed political influence by winning 13 seats.
However, in the last two decades, there has been a sharp rhetoric and political conflict between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT). The sons of the two leaders were face to face in the 2024 assembly elections. In Worli, Aditya Thackeray collided with Sandeep Deshpande of MNS, but he won. In Mahim, Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray was defeated by Shiv Sena candidate Mahesh Sawant.
What is the status of MNS in politics
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has suffered a shock in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Party chief Raj Thackeray fielded candidates for 125 seats in the state, but the results were extremely disappointing – the party could not win a single seat. Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray, who was the most discussed in this election, could not succeed in the first examination of his political career. He lost the election from his own home area, which has not only questioned his political future, but has also started a debate on the status of the party.
After the establishment of MNS, in the 2009 assembly elections, the party won 13 seats and made its presence in Maharashtra politics. Since then, the party tried to gain public support on many issues, but over time its base weakened.
This time, in view of the poor performance in the assembly elections, MNS kept distance from the Lok Sabha elections and did not field candidates from any seat. Instead, the party decided to support the NDA, which some political analysts are considering strategic moves, while many are also describing it as a sign of the falling position of the party.
Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra politics
There has been a big change in the politics of Maharashtra in the last three years. There was a big split in the Shiv Sena when senior party leader Eknath Shinde rebelled and left the party with several MLAs and formed a government with the BJP. After this political developments, Shiv Sena was divided into the Get Gut, led by Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray, two groups Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. Despite a huge upheaval between the organization and the workers, Uddhav Thackeray continued to try to save his political land.
In the recent assembly elections, Uddhav Thackeray faction fielded candidates for 95 seats, winning 20 seats. The demonstration was a slight improvement compared to the 2019 assembly elections, when the party had 15 MLAs. The Shiv Sena (UBT) also succeeded in 9 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Although this performance is limited compared to the party’s old strength, political analysts believe that this result reflects Uddhav Thackeray’s personal credit and his hold towards the ground organization.
Now the question is whether this political competition can end and turn into cooperation? Will the broken political branches of the Thackeray family unite once again? In political corridors, this possible alliance is considered a “major development” in Maharashtra politics, but the final decision is in the womb of time.