A possible reunion between estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray may be on the horizon—provided Raj distances himself from the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. This was hinted at in an editorial published Monday in Saamana, the mouthpiece of Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT). The editorial stated that if these political affiliations are severed, “there would be no question of any issue” between the Thackeray cousins, fueling fresh speculation about a long-awaited reconciliation nearly 20 years after their split.
“There was no real conflict to begin with. The BJP and the Shinde Sena manufactured these so-called differences,” the editorial claimed, arguing that if both factions are kept at bay, any barriers between Uddhav and Raj could be removed.
The piece also accused the BJP of deliberately creating rifts within Marathi politics by using Raj as a counterweight to Uddhav. “The BJP and the Shinde camp used Raj as a political weapon against the Shiv Sena (UBT). This tactic backfired for the MNS and only weakened Marathi unity,” Saamana stated.
Interestingly, the editorial reminded readers that Raj Thackeray had previously taken a strong stance against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah—at one point even declaring that they should not be allowed to step foot in Maharashtra. However, the piece criticized Raj for failing to maintain that position.
Questioning the root of the long-standing feud, the editorial remarked, “Raj’s grievances were never clearly explained to the public. Both the MNS and the undivided Shiv Sena were built on the ideology of safeguarding the ‘Marathi manoos’. So what exactly were the differences?”
The BJP’s version of Hindutva was described as “fake and hollow,” and the editorial accused Raj of falling into their ideological trap. It also condemned the MNS’s unconditional support for Modi’s third term in 2024, suggesting that it had cost Raj politically. “This is part of the BJP’s strategy to erode Marathi identity,” the editorial warned, adding that “Maharashtra will not forgive a lifetime wasted on petty squabbles.”
These remarks come shortly after both Raj and Uddhav made public statements expressing openness to reconciliation. Raj noted that uniting for the cause of the “Marathi manoos” isn’t difficult, while Uddhav echoed a willingness to move past minor disputes—so long as those working against Maharashtra’s interests are excluded.
