Latest news with #Uddhav-led
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
MNS: Seek concrete proposal from Sena (UBT) on alliance after past betrayal
A senior MNS leader has said his chief Raj Thackeray would consider an alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) only if a concrete proposal is put forward, noting their previous overtures for a tie-up were met with betrayal. Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Sandeep Deshpande of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) referred to Raj Thackeray's recent interview where he signalled openness to have talks with the Sena (UBT), headed by his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray, for a political alliance. Local body elections in Maharashtra, including for civic corporations of Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur and Pune, are slated to be held later this year. If the Shiv Sena (UBT) feels an alliance with the MNS is possible, they should come forward with a substantial proposal. Raj Thackeray will take a decision on it, he maintained. Deshpande recalled past instances when the MNS had initiated tie-up talks, but faced what he called betrayal. Be it in 2014 or 2017, we sent proposals but they betrayed us. If they want us now, they must send a proper proposal to Raj Thackeray. He will take an appropriate call, he asserted. He insisted that Raj Thackeray, in his interview, had not explicitly endorsed a political alliance with the Uddhav-led outfit, a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Raj did not say an alliance must take place. He only said that if the Shiv Sena (UBT) is interested (for a tie-up), he will consider it, Deshpande opined. In a reply to a question, Deshpande said at present no official communication has been received from the ruling Shiv Sena for an understanding with his party. He was asked whether the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition, was also seeking an understanding with the MNS. Last month, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore "trivial issues" and join hands in the larger interest of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people), nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 and floated his own party the next year. In the past, he has allied with the BJP, a bitter rival of the Shiv Sena (UBT).
The Print
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
MNS says it expects concrete proposal from Shiv Sena (UBT) on alliance after past ‘betrayal'
Local body elections in Maharashtra, including for civic corporations of Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur and Pune, among others, are slated to be held later this year. Speaking to reporters here, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande referred to party president Raj Thackeray's recent interview where he signalled openness to have discussions with the Shiv Sena (UBT), headed by his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray, for a political alliance. Mumbai, May 22 (PTI) A senior Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader on Thursday said his chief Raj Thackeray would consider an alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) only if a concrete proposal is put forward, noting previous overtures from his party for a tie-up were met with 'betrayal'. 'If the Shiv Sena (UBT) feels an alliance with the MNS is possible, they should come forward with a substantial proposal. Raj Thackeray will take a decision on it,' he maintained. Deshpande recalled past instances when the MNS had initiated tie-up talks, but faced what he called 'betrayal'. 'Be it in 2014 or 2017, we sent proposals but they betrayed us. If they want us now, they must send a proper proposal to Raj Thackeray. He will take an appropriate call,' he asserted. He insisted that Raj Thackeray, in his interview, had not explicitly endorsed a political alliance with the Uddhav-led outfit, a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). 'Raj did not say an alliance must take place. He only said that if the Shiv Sena (UBT) is interested (for a tie-up), he will consider it,' Deshpande opined. In a reply to a question, Deshpande said at present no official communication has been received from the ruling Shiv Sena for an understanding with his party. He was asked whether the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition, was also seeking an understanding with the MNS. Last month, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore 'trivial issues' and join hands in the larger interest of 'Marathi manoos' (Marathi-speaking people), nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 and floated his own party the next year. In the past, he has allied with the BJP, a bitter rival of the Shiv Sena (UBT). PTI ND RSY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Time to unite in the interest of Marathi, Maharashtra': Sena (UBT) amid talks of rapproachement between Thackeray cousins
Amid initial hints of rapproachment between estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, Uddhav-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday said that it was 'time to unite in the interest of Mumbai and Maharashtra' and that the party workers were 'ready to safeguard the Marathi pride'. The party made the statement in a social media post on X. The post, written in Marathi, read: 'Time has come to unite for Mumbai and Maharashtra. Shivsainiks are ready to protect Marathi asmita ( pride)' The Sena UBT's post has come days ahead of the Maharashtra Day, which is observed on May 1. The statement comes amid talks of possible alliance between Uddhav-led Sena and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the local body elections later this year. Highly placed sources in Shiv Sena ( UBT) said, 'The post has given a clear message. It is to mobilise the cadre. It also hints the party and its leaders hold pride and welfare of Marathi and Maharashtra above everything else.' The source, however, added, 'Decisions related to alliance between Sena ( UBT) and MNS will only be finalised by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.' A section within Uddhav Sena termed the post as 'an appeal for everyone to unite for the state's welfare'. An MNS leader, on condition of anonymity, said, 'If Uddhav is taking a step forward, it is good. It will be reciprocated by us.' The leader, however, cautioned that alliance is a serious matter and it will have to go through marathon discussions and will not happen through social media posts. Both Uddhav and Raj are holidaying with their respective families outside India. As per sources in the both the parties, Raj is likely to return to Mumbai on April 29, whereas Uddhav is expected to return on May 4. Last week, in an interview to filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, the MNS chief had said, 'Our coming together is not difficult. The differences are detrimental for the welfare of Maharashtra and Marathi people.' He also underlined that while the disputes between Uddhav and him were minor, 'Maharashtra was much bigger than all that.' Soon afterwards, Uddhav responded during his address to party workers in Mumbai. 'I am willing to come together in the interest of Maharashtra. I am ready to set aside minor issues. I never had differences. Yet, I have put aside all disputes.' The statements by the Thackeray cousins evoked reactions from leaders of various parties. State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule had said, 'It was a matter between two parties and their leaders. If they come together, it is good.' Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also echoed similar sentiments. 'It is good if they are setting their differences aside and coming together,' he said. NCP ( SP) Supriya Sule, who personally called both brothers, termed it a 'golden moment'. 'I'm overwhelmed hearing this news about reunion of Uddhav-Raj,' she had said. However, Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, when asked about the possible reunion, told mediapersons, 'Let's talk about work.'
