After Two Decades of Estrangement, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray Share Stage — Hinting at a New Political Chapter in Maharashtra
In a development that has stirred political circles across Maharashtra, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, long estranged, shared the dais at Mumbai’s NSCI Dome in Worli on Saturday, symbolically holding hands and signaling what could be the beginning of a new political alignment in the state.
The moment, long considered unthinkable, not only underscored a personal thaw between the two prominent leaders from the Thackeray clan but also hinted at significant shifts in the state’s opposition politics, particularly in the run-up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
A Tumultuous 20-Year Journey Since the Split
It has been two turbulent decades since Raj Thackeray broke away from the original Shiv Sena, once led by the iconic Balasaheb Thackeray, and launched his outfit, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
The split in 2005 was both ideological and personal, rooted in differences over leadership and direction. Since then, Maharashtra’s political landscape has undergone seismic shifts, with both cousins traversing very different paths.
Uddhav Thackeray, known for his composed demeanor and quieter brand of politics, was chosen by Balasaheb to lead Shiv Sena despite Raj being seen as the more charismatic heir-apparent. Uddhav not only upheld that legacy but also rose to the state’s highest office when he became Chief Minister in 2019.
That ascension, however, came through an unprecedented alliance with ideological rivals — the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — under the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) banner, after a dramatic falling out with the BJP, a longtime ally of the Shiv Sena.
While Uddhav tasted power, Raj Thackeray’s MNS remained on the fringes of Maharashtra politics, struggling to maintain relevance. His attempts to resurrect his political fortunes — including a 2019 campaign targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP with the now-infamous “Laha Re Laha” video series — failed to gain significant traction among voters.
The Political Landscape Shifts Again
The BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena once shared a longstanding alliance, tracing back to the days of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani. However, in 2019, Uddhav’s decision to snap ties with the BJP and join hands with Congress and NCP was seen as both a strategic masterstroke and a betrayal, depending on the viewer’s ideological lens.
That government — the MVA coalition — lasted until 2022, when internal dissension and aggressive poaching led to a split in the Shiv Sena, spearheaded by Eknath Shinde, who eventually formed a new faction and took power with the BJP’s backing.
The loss was not just of the chief minister’s office for Uddhav, but also the party’s name and traditional bow-and-arrow symbol, which were handed over to the Shinde-led faction by the Election Commission.
Despite these setbacks, Uddhav remained steadfast in his commitment to the MVA and played an active role in national opposition efforts under the INDIA bloc.
Raj, meanwhile, appeared to be inching back into political prominence by aligning himself more closely with Prime Minister Modi and the BJP. He shared the stage with Modi during the 2024 general elections, signaling a potential softening of his earlier anti-BJP stance.
“Chief Minister Fadnavis Did What Balasaheb Couldn’t”
The symbolism of Saturday’s joint appearance by Raj and Uddhav was not lost on anyone. “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis managed to do what even Balasaheb Thackeray could not — bring me and Uddhav together,” Raj Thackeray said on stage. The setup was telling: only two chairs were placed on stage, one for each cousin — a powerful visual of solidarity.
Uddhav responded with equal warmth: “We have come together to stay together. This is not the end, it’s only the beginning — a trailer of what is to come.”
These statements fueled intense speculation about a formal political alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, and raised serious questions about the future of the MVA and Uddhav’s continued role in the INDIA bloc.
BJP’s Dominance and the BMC Stakes
Since Devendra Fadnavis resumed leadership as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister in November 2024, the BJP has regained a position of uncontested dominance in the state, especially after the fractured opposition failed to make significant gains in the Assembly elections.
The BJP now operates independently, no longer reliant on the regional support of either Shiv Sena or NCP factions.
Yet, the real battle now looms over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — India’s richest civic body and a longtime Shiv Sena bastion. Control of the BMC has traditionally symbolized political influence in Mumbai, and by extension, Maharashtra.
For decades, while the BJP ruled the state, the Sena ruled Mumbai. However, BMC elections have been pending since March 2022, delayed due to political uncertainty and legal disputes stemming from the toppling of the MVA government.
The state’s decision to allocate BMC funds primarily to the ruling alliance’s allies, bypassing opposition-held wards, has sparked allegations of political discrimination and prompted renewed calls for elections.
The Language Issue Sparks a Marathi Manoos Revival
A recent and controversial government order mandating the inclusion of Hindi as a third language in schools (Classes I–V) sparked outrage from regional parties.
Although the Fadnavis government eventually rolled back the order, the damage had been done. This provided Raj and Uddhav with the perfect cultural and emotional flashpoint to rally around the Marathi Manoos (Marathi identity) cause — a recurring theme in both their parties’ political playbooks.
At the ‘Awaj Marathicha’ (Voice of the Maratha) rally, held without any party insignia or banners, Raj declared: “Hindu and Hindustan are acceptable. But the imposition of Hindi will not be tolerated. Let seven generations descend — we will not yield.” His fiery rhetoric was met with thunderous applause.
Both cousins framed the rollback not as a government concession, but as a victory of Marathi pride and public pressure, claiming that it was the people — not politicians — who had forced the government’s hand.
Congress, NCP Keep Their Distance
Interestingly, neither the Congress nor the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) participated in the Thackeray cousins’ joint event. The Maharashtra Congress has already hinted at a go-it-alone strategy for the upcoming BMC elections, citing concerns about being relegated to a secondary role within the MVA coalition. This growing unease within the opposition ranks further complicates the emerging political equation.
The Road Ahead: Alliance or Arrangement?
While no formal political alliance has yet been declared between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, the body language, shared slogans, and joint public messaging suggest that a working partnership is well underway. However, key ideological and strategic differences remain unresolved.
One such sticking point is Uddhav Thackeray’s consistent and vocal criticism of industrialist Gautam Adani, whom he has accused of crony capitalism and political favoritism. In contrast, Raj Thackeray met Adani just days before the NSCI event, suggesting a potentially divergent approach to big business and policy matters.
A New Chapter in Maharashtra Politics?
As Maharashtra braces for high-stakes civic elections, the reuniting of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray has added a dramatic twist to an already volatile political landscape. Whether this reunion results in a lasting political alliance or remains a temporary issue-based collaboration will depend on how the two leaders navigate their past, manage their differences, and shape a joint narrative moving forward.
