Thackeray Cousins' Reunion: More Smoke Than Fire?

Thackeray Cousins and the Mirage of Reunion: Maharashtra’s Political Gamble Ahead of BMC Polls

 

 

In Maharashtra’s ever-volatile political theatre, a familiar script is being revisited: the buzz of a possible reunion between estranged Thackeray cousins—Uddhav and Raj. As murmurs of a potential alliance or even a merger between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) surface once again, political circles are understandably reacting with caution—if not outright scepticism.

This isn't the first time such overtures have emerged, and history suggests a tendency for these peace offerings to wilt under the weight of a single, predictable phrase: "conditions apply."

Let us trace this unfolding political drama in context.

A Family Affair Turned Public Spectacle

Raj Thackeray parted ways with the original Shiv Sena back in 2005 after Balasaheb Thackeray—founder of the Sena—anointed his son Uddhav as political heir. Raj, who prided himself on his oratory and organisational prowess, believed himself a natural successor. Denied that role, he launched the MNS, vowing to carry forward Balasaheb’s ideology in his own style.

Since then, the Shiv Sena has undergone its own seismic shift. In 2022, a mutiny within the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena saw Eknath Shinde, once a loyalist, break away with a significant chunk of MLAs. This faction eventually took control of the party’s symbol and recognition—dealing a crippling blow to Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT).

Now, as Mumbai braces for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the largest civic body in Asia and a political crown jewel in Maharashtra, talk of a family and ideological reunion is once again in the air.

The Podcast That Rekindled the Flame

In a recent podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj Thackeray dropped a political bombshell. He openly expressed regret over the feud with his cousin and hinted at the necessity for unity—framing it as a call to protect the larger interests of Maharashtra and Marathi identity.

“The disputes and fights between Uddhav and me are minor—Maharashtra is much bigger than all that... Coming together is not difficult, it's a matter of will,” Raj declared.

Hours later, the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle responded with a carefully edited video. In a split-screen sequence, it showed Raj and Uddhav shaking hands outside the Thackeray residence, Matoshree. Uddhav echoed the sentiment, indicating willingness to set aside personal rifts for Maharashtra’s sake.

But Uddhav’s message came with caveats. Without naming names, he made it clear that ideological flip-flops wouldn’t be tolerated. “When we opposed industries being shifted from Maharashtra to Gujarat, instead of supporting us, they stood against us,” he said—a veiled jab at Raj’s past positions. Uddhav’s subtext was clear: unity cannot come at the cost of ideological consistency.

The Political Undercurrents Behind the Scenes

The backdrop of these overtures is more intricate than it appears. The Mahayuti government’s recent decision to introduce Hindi as a compulsory language in primary schools has sparked a fresh wave of Marathi identity politics. Both the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) have strongly opposed the move. This common cause may have prompted the latest show of solidarity—or at least the performance of it.

Yet, the signals are layered. Reliable sources indicate that Eknath Shinde recently held a one-on-one meeting with Raj Thackeray. Speculation is rife that the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) may be looking to align with the MNS for the BMC polls. But others whisper of a grander ambition: the reuniting of the broader Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, now fragmented into three political entities.

The BJP Factor: A Common Denominator or a Dividing Line?

Central to all these calculations is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With the BJP growing stronger in Maharashtra, all three Thackeray-led factions—Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT), Raj’s MNS, and Shinde’s Shiv Sena—risk being rendered obsolete if they remain divided.

Eknath Shinde, for instance, had hoped to be the BJP’s chief ministerial face for a second term. However, the BJP leadership reportedly viewed him as dispensable—given their own numbers and the alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction. Shinde was cornered into accepting the Deputy CM role under Devendra Fadnavis. This snub has reportedly bruised his ego and may yet alter his political loyalties.

Raj Thackeray’s position is equally fragile. Despite his oratory and Balasaheb-esque flair, his party has failed to carve out a significant vote bank. The BJP has kept Raj within arm’s reach—just close enough to prevent division of the Hindu vote, but never as a serious stakeholder.

Meanwhile, Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) faced a drubbing in the 2024 Assembly polls. For Uddhav, this may be a moment of reckoning—a time to reassess his party’s positioning and perhaps set aside personal grievances with both Raj and Shinde.

An Alliance Too Far?

Despite the talk, insiders within the Shiv Sena, MNS, and Shiv Sena (UBT) remain wary. Ego clashes, refusal to work under each other’s leadership, and mutual mistrust have long been barriers.

As a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary pointed out, the most difficult question remains unanswered: “Who will be the leader?” Will Raj work under Uddhav’s leadership? Or vice versa?

To complicate matters further, Raj is also in discussions with both the BJP and the Shinde faction about contesting the civic elections in alliance with them. This dual-track diplomacy raises fresh doubts about his sincerity in seeking unity with Uddhav.

Then there’s the MVA dilemma. Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is currently allied with the Congress and NCP in the Maha Vikas Aghadi. It is hard to imagine Raj Thackeray, known for his right-wing leanings and criticism of Congress, joining that fold. Political commentators are rightly asking: Will Uddhav exit the MVA, or will Raj dilute his ideological stance to enter it?

Historical Scars That Still Bleed

The past is not easily forgotten. In 2017, Raj offered to team up for the BMC elections. Uddhav, then aligned with the BJP and aiming to decimate Raj politically, chose to go it alone. The Sena won 84 seats, falling short of a majority, while the BJP secured 82. Uddhav clinched power with BJP’s backing—but later poached six of MNS’s seven corporators. Since then, trust has been scarce.

More recently, during the 2024 Assembly elections, Raj had expected a courtesy from Uddhav—that he wouldn’t field a candidate against his son Amit Thackeray in Mahim. After all, Raj had shown restraint by not contesting against Aaditya Thackeray in 2019. But Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) fielded Mahesh Sawant, who won. Amit came in a distant third.

Will the Shiv Sena Rebuild or Relinquish?

A merger or alliance will require more than public gestures—it will demand sacrifices, realignment of egos, and shared leadership, possibly involving the next generation of Thackerays.

Should that miracle occur, it could reshape Maharashtra’s political battlefield. A united Thackeray front could pose a serious threat to both the BJP and the Congress, perhaps even reviving the original Shiv Sena’s strength.

But the obstacles remain tall. Ego, trust deficit, past betrayals, and stark ideological divides make this alliance a formidable challenge.

If the cousins fail to act now, they may be remembered not for reviving Balasaheb’s legacy, but for squandering it—consigned to the footnotes of Maharashtra’s political history.

Time, and the voters of Mumbai, will be the ultimate arbiters.