Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has added momentum to speculation of an alliance with cousin Raj Thackeray. Speaking to the media on Friday, June 6, Uddhav remarked, “What lies in the heart of Maharashtra will happen. Neither we nor our Shiv Sainiks are confused; and neither are they (MNS). We won’t send out signals; we’ll deliver the news directly.”
Uddhav’s Words Spark Political Chatter
The comment has once again fuelled speculation about a reunion between the Thackeray cousins. While talks of a possible alliance had been making the rounds for some time, there had been no concrete developments until now. Uddhav’s fresh remarks suggest that dialogue between the two parties may be in the final stages.
MNS Reacts But…
Reacting to questions about an alliance, MNS leader Avinash Deshpande said, “Such matters aren’t discussed on camera. Similar discussions happened in 2014 and 2017 as well.” He added that Raj Thackeray would make a decision only if a strong proposal is presented.
On Uddhav’s statement, Deshpande said, “Even in 2014 and 2017, the people of Maharashtra had something in mind, but Uddhav didn’t. Now that he says he’ll deliver the news directly… we’ll wait to see what that news is.”
Raj Thackeray’s Breakaway From Shiv Sena That Reshaped Maharashtra
Raj Thackeray’s dramatic exit from Shiv Sena in 2005 was more than a political fallout — it was a deeply personal rupture that sent ripples across Maharashtra’s political landscape. Once viewed as the natural successor to Bal Thackeray’s legacy, Raj’s departure marked a defining moment in the Sena’s internal saga.
For years, quiet tension simmered beneath the surface. But the real breaking point came when the party leadership leaned decisively toward Uddhav Thackeray, sidelining Raj in a move that many saw as both strategic and symbolic. Raj, who had devoted years to the party built by his uncle, found himself increasingly marginalised — a situation he could no longer accept.
In March 2006, taking a bold step, Raj severed ties with Shiv Sena and launched his own political outfit — the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). With that move, he not only charted his own course but also reshaped the dynamics of state politics.
Since parting ways, Raj and Uddhav have remained on opposing sides of the political spectrum, their relationship marred by rivalry and ideological clashes. At the same time, Raj’s association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been anything but straightforward. Over the years, his political stance toward the BJP has fluctuated — marked by periods of camaraderie, criticism, and calculated distance.
