Thackeray Cousins Reunion Sparks Talk of Political Alliance in Maharashtra
- Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reunite at a rally after nearly two decades.
- The rally celebrated the rollback of Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra schools.
- A possible alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS could reshape local elections.
- Raj Thackeray emphasized the need for Marathi unity and avoided violence.
- Political analysts predict consolidation of Marathi votes if alliance occurs.
Thackeray Cousins Share Stage After Two Decades
In an unexpected political turn in Maharashtra, estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray appeared together publicly for the first time in nearly twenty years. This notable reunion occurred at a rally in Worli, where they celebrated the decision by the Mahayuti government to revoke its controversial plan to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools across the state. The event was held at the National Sports Club of India Arena, a venue capable of holding up to 8,000 people, and drew large crowds both inside and outside the arena, with an estimated 5,000 additional supporters viewing the proceedings on screens set up outside.
A Possible Alliance Could Reshape Political Landscape
During this event, both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray promised to advocate for the rights of the Marathi manoos (people). Uddhav, at one point, hinted at a potential alliance between their respective parties, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), as they look ahead to local body elections. If realized, a formal alliance would drastically shift the political dynamics within Maharashtra, especially after the Mahayuti alliance’s significant win in the last assembly elections. The Thackeray cousins utilized their platform to criticize the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, alleging a “conspiracy to divide” people based on language and caste.
Raj Emphasizes Unity Over Violent Retribution
Raj Thackeray, speaking in Marathi for approximately 25 minutes, expressed his surprise at being reunited with his cousin, crediting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with orchestrating this monumental encounter, something even their late grandfather, Bal Thackeray, could not achieve. Despite not formally discussing a potential alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT), Raj emphasized the significance of unity among Marathi-speaking individuals. He asserted that political allegiances can shift, yet the unwavering identity of the Marathi language must remain intact. Furthermore, he urged his supporters to refrain from violent actions against those who do not speak Marathi, a sensitive issue that has resulted in conflict in recent weeks.
Political Analysts Predict Vote Consolidation
Political analysts speculate that should Uddhav and Raj Thackeray decide to contest elections jointly, it could consolidate Marathi votes in Maharashtra. According to Hemant Desai, a political observer, this potential alliance could greatly alter the political landscape, particularly impacting the current Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. Shinde would find himself directly competing with the cousins, the heirs to the Thackeray legacy. Despite MNS’s limited influence in prior elections, the rally signified a revival; at previous municipal elections MNS won just seven seats out of 227 and had no seats in the last assembly elections where they contested 125.
NCP Celebrates Rally, Congress Avoids Participation
In the aftermath of the rally, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule expressed her gratitude on social media for the energetic turnout, emphasizing a renewed commitment to the pride of Maharashtra and the Marathi language. The rally, however, did not see representation from the Maharashtra Congress, which had earlier announced support for protests against the Hindi imposition but ultimately chose to abstain from attendance, indicating a possible rift or strategic retreat in the current political arena. The evolving dynamics around language and regional identity in Maharashtra continues to stir passionate debate, and many are watching closely to see how the Thackeray cousins navigate their next steps.
The reunion of the Thackeray cousins may signal a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape, especially with hints of a possible alliance ahead of the upcoming local body elections. Their collective stance against the Mahayuti government’s language policy echoes broader concerns about regional identity and political representation in the state. Observers will be keenly monitoring how these developments unfold and what they might mean for the future of Maharashtra’s political fabric.
