Mumbai : Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday visited his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence ‘Shivtirth’ for Ganesh puja. Uddhav Thackeray was accompanied by his wife Rashmi and sons Aaditya and Tejas. The visit also saw both families come together for photos, reflecting the renewed ties.
This marks another important step in the cousins’ reunion after more than two decades, and it has triggered speculation about what this could mean for Maharashtra politics. The timing is crucial, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections set for early 2026.
The Thackeray cousins, who were estranged after Raj broke away from the Shiv Sena in 2005 to form the MNS, have been seen together several times in recent months. In July, they shared a stage in Worli to protest the state government’s decision to make Hindi compulsory in schools — a move that was later rolled back after their joint opposition.
Raj Thackeray had said, “Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fighting. Today, after 20 years, Uddhav and I have come together. What Balasaheb could not do, Devendra Fadnavis did it… The work of bringing both of us together.” Uddhav, too, made his intent clear, declaring, “We have come together to stay together.”
The momentum continued when Raj visited Uddhav’s residence ‘Matoshree’ days later on the latter’s birthday, with the cousins posing in front of a portrait of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray — a symbolic gesture that suggested the ice had finally broken. The two now posed for photos again, this time at Raj Thackeray’s house. Political analysts believe a possible alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS could strengthen the Marathi vote bank in Mumbai and nearby regions.
Read Also : Another Dowry Case : Police Constable’s Wife Burnt Alive, Writhing In Pain, Battling For Life
-
-
-
-
