After Raj and Uddhav signal thaw, Raut says all talks ‘emotional’ now

“At this moment”, Raut said, “There is no alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS. What has emerged are emotional talks.”

Referring to Uddhav Thackeray’s conditions for a possible alliance with the MNS, Raut said, ”Uddhav Thackeray has not set any conditions. Raj Thackeray is talking about the interest of Maharashtra and Uddhav Thackeray is also emphasising on the same. This is not a condition, it relates to public sentiments. If anyone is describing this as setting terms and conditions, then he should do some political study. This subject is related to Maharashtra’s sentiments,” said Raut.

In 2005, Raj Thackeray left the undivided Shiv Sena, a party founded by his uncle and Uddhav’s father Bal Thackeray, after feeling sidelined. He then launched the MNS in March 2006.

On Saturday, in response to MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who stated he could “set aside our minor disputes”, Uddhav expressed his willingness to put aside their disagreements for the sake of the Marathi language and the people of Maharashtra.

Regarding Sena (UBT), Raut said, “We will accept any decision taken by Uddhav Thackeray. We have conveyed our feelings to our leader as well.” Stating that the relationship between the Thackeray cousins is intact, Raut said, “As a family, they still share a cordial relationship. The relationship is not broken.”

Raut said the Sena’s stand is clear-cut. ”We are working for Maharashtra’s interest. The self-respect of Marathi manoos matters to us. If both the Thackerays are coming together by keeping aside their differences, then it should be welcomed whole-heartedly,” said the Rajya Sabha MP.

In a veiled reference to the ruling BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Raut said, “What he (Uddhav) said was that a few parties claim to be well-wishers of Maharashtra. But they are the ones working against the state’s interests. They are enemies of Maharashtra. They created a split and broke Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. It was an attack on the pride of Maharashtra. Therefore, Uddhav ji clarified that those willing to make Maharashtra welfare a cause should not have any relations with such parties.”

Raut said Uddhav Thackeray has emphasised that those who are against Maharashtra’s interest should be kept at bay. ”Uddhav Thackeray wants Raj Thackeray to keep those who are against the interest of Maharashtra at an arm’s length… Entire Maharashtra knows who is anti-Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray knows everything…If anyone is going to create obstacles in their reunion, then he is not working in the interest of Maharashtra,” he said.

The talks of Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS willing to unite and set aside differences gained ground on Saturday. During a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar released on Saturday, Raj Thackeray said, “For me, the interest of Maharashtra is bigger while everything else is secondary… I can keep aside our minor disputes.”

Giving a positive response, Uddhav Thackeray, at a party event, said, “The differences are trivial. I am ready to keep it aside. Maharashtra is my priority.”

These reconciliatory remarks from Uddhav and Raj have come in the run-up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

The remarks by the two leaders also come against the backdrop of the introduction of Hindi as a mandatory third language for students between Classes 1 and 5 in Maharashtra, a move that the Opposition, including the Sena (UBT), MNS and Congress, has collectively opposed.