‘We look to the future, not past': Sanjay Raut amid Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance buzz
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said Saturday that his party is focused on building the future, not dwelling on past differences, amid growing speculation of a possible alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
'Those who wish to take positive steps do not look back. We look to the future. How long are you going to dwell on the past?' Raut told reporters in Mumbai, urging MNS leaders to forget rifts in the past and look at the future of the two parties.
The MP's comments come on the heels of Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray's recent admission that informal talks are underway with the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, a statement that has revived hopes of a political rapprochement nearly two decades after they split.
Meanwhile, the Sena (UBT)'s mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday carried photographs of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray together on its front page—an image not seen in party media for years.
This came even as posters featuring the two leaders together, calling for unity, were spotted in parts of Mumbai and Thane. Party workers from both sides are reportedly behind the campaign, urging the cousins to 'unite for the Marathi cause.'
One of the posters put up at Girgaon has a message, in Marathi, stating that the two brothers must come together for the cause of eight crore Marathi people, and the people of Girgaon are eagerly waiting for their reconciliation. 'Please come together and save Marathi manoos before the outsiders' plan to capture Maharashtra succeeds,' it reads.
Raut's statement came after MNS leaders said on Friday that the Sena (UBT) should send a proposal to their party president and pointed out that they were met with a cold response when they attempted to form an alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena in 2014 and 2017 and during the Covid period.
'Maybe the leaders have already spoken on phone calls, who knows? Once the process is completed, you will see the fruits. There is positivity among workers of both parties,' Raut had said on Friday, hinting that the talks could be well advanced.
Earlier, Uddhav had told reporters at his residence, Matoshree, 'There is no confusion in my mind or that of my Shiv Sainiks. Even MNS workers are in touch with us, and there is no confusion in their minds either.' He added, '…what is in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra—that will happen.'
Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray has reportedly been holding marathon meetings with party office-bearers and leaders in Mumbai amid the possible alliance with Sena (UBT).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Top Gujarat Congress leader arrested over Op Sindoor post: Who is Rajesh Soni?
Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) general secretary Rajesh Soni, arrested for an alleged objectionable post on Operation Sindoor, belongs to a family of jewellers and is a first-generation politician, say his party colleagues. Many in the Congress refer to Soni as the go-to person for 'publicity-related tasks'. At least three top party leaders told The Indian Express that the credit for putting up maximum hoardings and billboards during Congress party events goes to him. However, according to his detractors in the party say 'his billboards would mostly be of his mentors and patrons in the party'. Soni, who is in his forties, was arrested by the Gujarat State Cyber Crime Cell on Friday under sections 152 (endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) and 353 (making, publishing or circulating statements that could lead to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS) for alleged posts on his social media handles and pages that were 'demoralising for the Army', as per the FIR. Originally from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Soni joined the Congress in 2015 with his team of supporters. 'Within just a couple of years of his joining the party, he was made an All India Congress Committee (AICC) delegate. Promotions came early for him compared to other senior leaders,' said a Congress leader in the Ahmedabad city unit. He was appointed general secretary of the state unit in 2022 when former MP Jagdish Thakor was the state party president. Thakor described Soni as a person 'who did a lot of charity and was always at the forefront to help during natural calamities', while state Congress spokesperson Amit Nayak recalled how, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Soni ran a community kitchen. Former Union minister Bharatsinh Solanki, who was the state Congress president from 2015 to 2018, told The Indian Express, 'Soni holds an event every year to distribute notebooks to children and this time he invited me. I suggested that he also distribute tablets. He obliged and gave tablets to some five children.' Soni's father, a jewellery businessman from Pali in Rajasthan, came to Ahmedabad for business and the family decided to settle down in the city's Isanpur area, where Soni was born. When he was young, Soni joined his father's business. 'Later, he got into the construction business and launched his own company called Soni Corporation,' said Nayak. Soni's party colleagues said one of the reasons he was being 'targeted' because he is an 'RTI activist' and participates in television debates.'Soni is being targeted because he is a kattar agevan (staunch leader), has been in charge of the party's IT Cell earlier. He is part of our TV debate team and his appearances must have bothered the BJP government,' said Nayak. The spokesperson, who said he was also booked for his social media posts in 2023, added, 'We have decided that all top leaders of the party will repost Rajesh Soni's (alleged objectionable) post and then go to the DGP's (Director General of Police) office to court arrest.' Top Congress leaders such as state Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Amit Chavda have criticised the action against Soni and demanded immediate bail. Gohil said Friday that the Gandhinagar Police cyber crime team picked up Soni as if he were a 'terrorist'. He said Soni's post was more about giving credit to the soldiers for their bravery and saying that 'money from the public treasury should not be used for publicity and … political gains should not be taken in the name of Operation Sindoor'.
Hindustan Times
39 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Thackeray cousins' photo in Saamana fuels reunion buzz
Amid intense speculation over possibility of an alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the former's mouthpiece 'Saamana' on Saturday published an old photograph of the estranged cousins, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, on its front page. Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray held a party meeting on Saturday to gauge the mood among his party leaders and workers on a possible alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT). 'Leaders from both sides have been deliberating on the possibilities of coming together as it is seen as the need of the hour for both the parties. Both parties are going through the troubled waters and it is the battle for survival for them,' a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said, requesting anonymity. Speculation of an alliance has picked up pace ahead of the ensuing civic body polls, likely to be held after the monsoon, and it was further fuelled by recent statements by the Thackeray cousins, who parted ways in 2006. Both leaders have hinted at a possible reconciliation, with Raj Thackeray maintaining it was not difficult to unite in the interest of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) while Uddhav Thackeray saying he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. On Friday, Uddhav Thackeray said whatever the people of Maharashtra wish will happen. The statement was highlighted with the photo of the two cousins together in Saamana. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Chandrakant Khaire said the issue was discussed in a meeting at the party chief's residence, Matoshree, a month ago. 'Uddhavji was positive about joining hands with Raj Thackeray and the responsibility of talks was given to our leader Anil Parab,' he claimed. The MNS chief is also holding meetings with senior leaders of the party. Senior leader Bala Nandgaonkar, who was part of the Saturday meeting, said: 'The decision (about alliance with Uddhav Thackeray's party) will be taken by our top leader and it would not be proper for me to speak about it.' In a surprise statement, Gajanan Kirtikar of the rival Shiv Sena, led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, said even his party should join hands with the Thackeray cousins. 'The revival of the Thackeray brand is the need of the hour and it is the sentiment among the people of Maharashtra. It will be a people-friendly alliance and even Shinde-led Sena too should join them to revive the Shiv Sena,' Kiritkar said. Reacting to the development, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said it would be premature to react to the possible alliance. 'It would not be fair for me to react to what Raj Thackeray has said and how Uddhav Thackeray has reacted to it. More than two brothers, the media is excited about the reconciliation. I would react when it actually happens,' the senior BJP leader told reporters. Shinde also echoed the sentiments, saying: 'Everybody has the right to decide whom to go with. There is no point in reacting to the possibilities based on ifs and buts.'
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Saamna hints at Thackeray cousins getting together for municipal polls
MUMBAI: A day after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray declared that whatever the people of Maharashtra wanted would happen, fuelling speculation about the estranged Thackeray cousins coming together, the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna published an old picture of him with Raj Thackeray on its front page. Meanwhile, Raj held another meeting of leaders of his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), on Saturday, reportedly seeking to gauge the mood among his workers as well as the people on the issue. After Raj, who parted ways with the undivided Shiv Sena in 2006, said in a podcast in April that he would set aside his differences with cousin Uddhav in the interest of Maharashtra, and Uddhav echoed similar sentiments, there has been rising pressure from the workers of both parties for their leaders to join hands. Uddhav on Friday said that the wish of the people of Maharashtra would be fulfilled. He also said that instead of giving any message to party workers, he would give the news to them directly. The statement was highlighted with a picture of the two cousins together in Saamna on Saturday, saying that Uddhav had been hinting about the reconciliation. This is seen as yet another indication that the Sena (UBT) is seeking a reunion. 'Leaders from both sides have been deliberating on the possibilities of coming together, as it is seen as the need of the hour for both parties,' said a Sena leader. 'Both are going through troubled phases and it is a battle for survival for them.' Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former MP Chandrakant Khaire claimed that the issue was discussed in a meeting at Thackeray's residence Matoshree a month ago. 'Uddhavji was favourably inclined towards joining hands with Raj Thackeray, and the responsibility of talks was given to Anil Parab,' he said on Saturday. The MNS too is believed to be holding meetings of its senior leaders. In one such meeting on Saturday, the issue was reportedly discussed. However, senior party leader Bala Nandgaonkar, who was part of the meeting, chose to remain silent on it. 'The decision (about joining hands with the Sena-UBT) will be taken by our top leader (Raj) and it would not be proper for me to speak about it,' he said after the meeting. Shinde Sena leader Gajanan Kirtikar surprised many in political circles by saying that even the Shinde-led Sena should join hands with the two Thackerays. 'The revival of the Thackeray brand is the need of the hour and is the sentiment among the people of Maharashtra,' he said. 'It will be a people-friendly alliance. The Shinde-led Sena should join them to revive the Shiv Sena.' Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said it would be premature to react to the potential alliance. 'It would not be fair for me to react to what Raj Thackeray has said and how Uddhav Thackeray has reacted,' said Fadnavis. 'More than the two cousins, the media is excited about the reconciliation. I will react when it actually happens.' Shinde echoed Fadnavis' remarks. 'Everybody has the right to decide whom to go with,' he said. 'There is no point in reacting to possibilities based on ifs and buts.' As positive reactions have started emerging from the two parties over the Thackeray cousins joining hands, the ruling and opposition combines have begun assessing the repercussions. The BJP leadership, while admitting that it would hamper its prospects in the urban parts of the state, claimed that it would damage the Shinde-led Shiv Sena more. The ruling alliance is wary of the consolidation of Marathi votes in urban areas, especially in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region which houses nine municipal corporations due for elections. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) expects to benefit from the two cousins joining hands. 'Raj draws crowds to his rallies but Uddhav translates the crowds into voters,' NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar remarked on Saturday while talking informally to the media. 'The MVA has a fair opportunity of benefitting from potential clashes among the ruling parties over seat-sharing in the forthcoming elections.'
