The possibility of a political rapprochement between estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray has once again gained traction, even as the ruling Mahayuti leaders continue their outreach to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief ahead of the civic elections in the state. On Tuesday, Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant met MNS president Raj Thackeray in Mumbai, fuelling speculation about a potential alliance. The meeting took place in Dadar, where both leaders reside. However, Samant dismissed suggestions of political discussions during the meeting.
“There were no political discussions,” Samant told reporters, adding, “I had come to the Dadar area for some work and I only called up Saheb (Raj). So I came and we discussed some developments. If there was any discussion regarding the BMC polls, then we would have held a press conference to announce it”, news agency PTI reported.
According to Indian Express, this was the fourth meeting between Samant and Raj since the state Assembly polls in November last year.
Last month, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also met Raj Thackeray at the latter’s residence, further strengthening the possibility of an alliance between the MNS and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena for the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies.
Raj Thackeray had also met Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence ‘Varsha’ last week, prompting fresh questions about the likelihood of a reunion with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT).
Sena (UBT) MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut reacted to the recent meeting between Samant and Raj, stating that his party had responded “positively” to Raj’s overtures. “We are responding positively today as well. Now it is up to him to respond and we are waiting for the response. We consider Raj Thackeray in high regard, we respect him,” Raut told reporters, as per Indian Express’s report.
When Uddhav, Raj Thackeray Dropped Hints Of Reunion; Sena UBT Said ‘Time Has Come’
On 19 April, both Raj and Uddhav signalled their openness to reconciliation. Speaking in a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj expressed his willingness to move beyond “minor disputes” for the greater good of Maharashtra.
Later that day, at a Sena (UBT) trade union event, Uddhav said he was also open to setting aside differences for the sake of the Marathi people and language. However, he cautioned that Raj must not ally with elements that work against Maharashtra’s interests—an apparent reference to the BJP and the Eknath Shinde faction, who split the Shiv Sena in 2022 and appropriated its official name and poll symbol.
The proposed reconciliation appeared to lose momentum after both Raj and Uddhav travelled abroad. However, on 26 April, Sena (UBT)’s official handle posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), saying in Marathi, “Vel Aaliye Ekatra Yenyachi” — “The time has come to come together.”
A few days later, Raut reiterated his party’s stand, saying, “Uddhav has signalled his willingness… Now it is up to Raj to take his call.”
Raj Thackeray had launched the MNS in March 2006 after parting ways with the Bal Thackeray-led Shiv Sena due to differences with Uddhav. Like the Sena, the MNS has built its politics around the cause of the ‘Marathi Manoos’.
However, the MNS has struggled electorally in recent years. In the November 2024 Assembly elections, it failed to win any seats despite contesting 135 of the 288 constituencies, managing just 1.55% of the vote share. In 2019, the party had won only one seat with a 2.5% vote share.
In the 2017 BMC polls, the MNS secured seven out of 227 seats, while the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena—then allied with the BJP—emerged as the largest party with 84 seats.
Uddhav and Raj’s tumultuous relationship has often sparked reunion rumours, with even a single public meeting between them triggering alliance speculations. But Uddhav has remained cautious of Raj’s fluctuating stance on the BJP, oscillating between criticism and camaraderie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With civic polls around the corner, political observers will be watching closely whether the cousins choose to bridge their long-standing divide or tread separate paths once again.
