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Estranged cousins Uddhav, Raj Thackeray ‘ready’ to join hands for the ‘sake of Maharashtra’

Uddhav Thackeray, however, asked Raj Thackeray not to hobnob with those who are anti-Maharashtra.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Apr 19, 2025 08:22 PM IST

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray. (Express Archive/Pradeep Kocharekar)

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (left) and MNS chief Raj Thackeray (right). (Express Archive/Pradeep Kocharekar)

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray sounded positive about a rapprochement on Saturday. The two leaders said they were ready to keep aside their “minor differences” for the larger interest of the people of Maharashtra.

Raj Thackeray made the first move. During a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar released on Saturday, the MNS chief said, “For me, the interest of Maharashtra is bigger while everything else is secondary… I can keep aside our minor disputes.”

Then, for good measure, he added, “’I am ready to work with Uddhav (Thackeray) but the only question is whether he too is ready to work with me.”

In response, Uddhav Thackeray, while addressing members of the Sena (UBT)’s trade union in Mumbai later in the day, said he, too, was ready to put aside their disputes for the sake of the Marathi language and the people of Maharashtra. He, however, asked Raj Thackeray not to hobnob with those who are anti-Maharashtra.

Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “He (Raj) is a Thackeray. Uddhav too is a Thackeray. Their relationship is permanent. Due to political differences, they have chosen separate paths. Even then, Uddhav Thackeray has always walked on the path that is in the interest of Maharashtra. I have heard Raj Thackeray’s statement. He has said that for the interest of Maharashtra, he is ready to keep aside all disputes. To this, Uddhav has said that he has no dispute or any differences with Raj. He said even if there are disputes, it won’t take long to resolve them. This is what Uddhav Thackeray was saying during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.”

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Raut said Raj Thackeray should deal with those who are against the interests of Maharashtra. “We had made it clear during the Lok Sabha elections that the enemies of Maharashtra should not be given any kind of help. Uddhav Thackeray had said that there are some powers that underestimate Maharashtra. They keep conspiring against the interests of the Marathi manoos (people). Raj Thackeray should not mingle or sit alongside them… he should adopt this stand. If he is taking this stand, then we are ready to… hold discussions,” he added.

Raut said the BJP wants to finish the Thackeray identity. “In such a situation, if both the Thackerays show positive intent to join hands, Maharashtra will welcome it. We are looking at this development positively. Now, since Uddhav Thackeray has made his intentions clear, we will await a response.”

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In 2005, Raj Thackeray had quit the undivided Shiv Sena, a party founded by his uncle Bal Thackeray, after reportedly feeling sidelined. Thereafter, he launched the MNS in March 2006.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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