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Flagging ‘Maharashtra interest’, Uddhav, Raj signal thaw as questions hover over reunion

Estranged Thackeray cousins make reconciliatory remarks ahead of the coming BMC polls, even as Uddhav remains wary of Raj’s stance on BJP.

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

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday indicated willingness about a possible rapprochement between them. The two leaders said they were ready to keep aside their “disputes” for the larger interest of the people of Maharashtra.

Raj Thackeray made the first move. During a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, the MNS chief said he was ready to keep aside the “minor disputes” between him and Uddhav.

“For me, the interest of Maharashtra is bigger while everything else is secondary… I can keep aside our minor disputes,” Raj said. “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, while addressing members of the Sena (UBT)’s trade union 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 not to “hobnob” with those who are “anti-Maharashtra”.

“He (Raj) is a Thackeray. Uddhav too is a Thackeray. Their relationship is permanent… He (Raj) has said for the interest of Maharashtra, he is ready to keep aside all disputes. To this, Uddhav has said that he has no dispute nor any differences with Raj. He said even if there are disputes, it won’t take long to resolve them,” said Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut.

Raut said that Raj should not deal with those who are “against the interest” 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 which underestimate Maharashtra. They keep conspiring against the interest of Marathi manoos. 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 welcome it,” he said.

Raut also alleged that the BJP wants to “finish off Thackerays’ 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 in a positive way. Now since Uddhav Thackeray has made his intentions clear, we will await a response,” Raut said.

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The “positive” statements from Uddhav and Raj have taken political circles by surprise. However, a senior Sena (UBT) leader said, “The two have been in touch for coming together politically. This is not something that has come suddenly.”

These reconciliatory remarks from Uddhav and Raj have come in the run-up to the coming 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.

The two Thackerays, who lead two of the state’s most aggressive parties, have had a tumultuous relationship.

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The fallout between the cousins, which led to Raj quitting the Shiv Sena and forming the MNS in 2006, was the result of personal rivalry, leadership ambitions, and internal power struggles within the undivided Sena in the early 2000s.

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Since the formation of the MNS, Raj and Uddhav have often taken swipes at each other. Their rivalry has often played out publicly, with both engaging in political rhetoric aimed at undermining each other’s credibility. Raj has accused Uddhav of diluting the Sena’s original principles, while Uddhav has portrayed the MNS as a splinter group lacking genuine political vision.

During elections, both parties vie for similar voter bases, especially among Marathi speakers, leading to direct confrontations and efforts to sway each other’s supporters.

However over the years, there have been several instances where even a public meeting between the two cousins has set off talks of an alliance and the cousins coming together.

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The most serious public attempt on this was made in 2014, after the BJP broke its alliance with the Shiv Sena in the run up to the Assembly elections that year. Raj and Uddhav were said to have shared phone calls about a possible joining of hands, but the MNS chief later complained that Uddhav turned cold to the proposal after the initial warmth. Uddhav’s hesitancy reportedly stemmed from his “reluctance” to see Raj as an equal and his “unwillingness” to give him political legitimacy on the big stage.

Uddhav also remains wary of Raj’s stance on the BJP, which has fluctuated – from aligning with it at times to occasionally criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With the Sena having faced further fragmentation – especially as the Eknath Shinde-led Sena faction positions itself as the true inheritor of party founder and Uddhav’s father Bal Thackeray’s legacy – there has been a concern in the Sena (UBT) that a collaboration with Raj could diminish Uddhav’s voter base, which may be crucial in the current tightly contested electoral landscape.

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

Zeeshan Shaikh

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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