Mumbai: In a dramatic turn in Maharashtra politics, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray reunited after two decades, sharing a stage at a rally in Mumbai’s NSCI Dome, Worli, and sparking intense speculation about a potential political alliance ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
The event, originally planned to celebrate the rollback of the Maharashtra government’s three-language policy, turned into a show of unity between the once-rival Thackeray cousins. Their appearance marked a historic political and emotional moment for supporters of Marathi asmita (identity).
A Political Moment, 20 Years in the Making
Raj Thackeray, who left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), shared the stage with Uddhav Thackeray, who now leads the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction. The last time the two appeared publicly together was in 2005, during the internal power struggle that led to Raj’s exit from the Sena.
Raj, in his address, used wit and irony to criticise the ruling BJP and even gave partial credit to BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis for their reunion:
“What Balasaheb couldn’t do, Devendra Fadnavis did. He brought us back together.”
Uddhav was far more assertive, calling their coming together not just symbolic, but strategic:
“We have reunited to reclaim our space in Mumbai and Maharashtra. We’re here to stay—and to win.”
Rally Focuses on ‘Marathi Manoos’
Both leaders emphasized Marathi pride, language rights, and the need to safeguard the interests of the Marathi-speaking population. They described the event not as a political rally, but a “Marathi jan sabha”.
In a calculated and deliberate move, no party banners, flags, or insignias were present on the stage. The message was clear: this was about Marathi identity, not partisan politics. The strategy helped in creating a unified emotional appeal to the Marathi vote base across age, caste, and religious lines.
Why the Timing Matters
This reunion comes at a critical political juncture:
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BMC elections, delayed since March 2022, are expected later this year.
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The undivided Shiv Sena ruled the BMC for over 25 years, making it the Sena’s strongest bastion.
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After the 2022 party split and poor performance in Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, the upcoming civic elections are seen as a make-or-break battle for Uddhav Thackeray.
For Raj Thackeray, whose MNS drew just 1.6% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and won zero Assembly seats in 2019, the BMC elections offer a chance for political relevance and comeback.
Alliance Challenges: Easier Said Than Done
Despite the positive optics, a formal Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance will face significant challenges:
1. Seat-Sharing Conflicts
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Both parties claim influence in identical wards across Mumbai—especially in areas like Dadar, Bhandup, Sewri, and Worli.
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These overlaps have previously led to vote splits, and now may lead to turf wars within the alliance.
2. Leadership Questions
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Who will lead the alliance?
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Will MNS be content playing second fiddle to Shiv Sena (UBT), given Raj’s charismatic appeal?
3. Voter Perception
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MNS has often been seen as a hardline, regionalist party, while Uddhav’s post-2022 avatar has leaned more toward centrist, secular politics.
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Will their respective voter bases accept this realignment?
4. Opposition Jibes
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BJP and Eknath Shinde’s camp have already mocked the reunion, calling it a “desperate act by two sinking ships”.
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BJP leaders argue that Raj brings little electoral value, and that Uddhav is merely clutching at old alliances to save face.
BMC: The Real Battleground
The BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) is not just symbolic—it holds enormous financial power with an annual budget exceeding ₹52,000 crore, larger than many Indian states.
Losing control of BMC would be a historic setback for the Thackeray family, effectively ending their grip over the city that has long been their political stronghold.
Both Uddhav and Raj are acutely aware that a BJP-Shinde victory in the BMC would signal the end of their political relevance. At 65 and 57 years of age respectively, the cousins seem prepared to bury the past for a last political fight together.
Maharashtra’s Changing Political Map
The Maharashtra political landscape has shifted dramatically:
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Shiv Sena split in 2022 into Uddhav’s faction and the Eknath Shinde-led faction, which is now in power with the BJP.
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2024 Lok Sabha elections saw the BJP-Shinde alliance outperform Uddhav’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
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Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) are allied with Uddhav, but have limited clout in Mumbai civic politics.
A Uddhav-Raj alliance could reconsolidate the Marathi vote, especially if it focuses solely on local civic issues like water, housing, transport, and infrastructure.
Symbolic Hug, Real Stakes
The hug on stage may have been symbolic, but the stakes are real and high. Whether the Thackeray cousins can convert their emotional reunion into an effective political machine remains to be seen.
If they succeed, they might redefine Mumbai’s political future. If not, 2025 could mark the end of the Thackeray era in Maharashtra politics.
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