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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Aaditya Thackeray urges seniors to lead tie-up talks between Sena(UBT), MNS
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said his party responded to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's call for rapprochement and that seniors from that party should step up to take it forward. Talking to reporters, Thackeray said his party welcomes whoever is opposed to the anti-Maharashtra BJP. When they talked about it, we responded. Their seniors should come forward. We are there where we were (in the past). For the betterment of the country, Maharashtra and society, we welcome those with an open heart who are against the anti-Maharashtra BJP and (Eknath) Shinde, Thackeray said. Last month, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore trivial issues and join hands, nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. Uddhav, however, had put a condition that Raj should have no truck with the BJP or the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. While the MNS chief has said that uniting in the interests of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) is not difficult, former CM Uddhav Thackeray said he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided that those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. Earlier this week, senior MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande had said that Raj Thackeray would consider an alliance with the Sena (UBT) only if a concrete proposal was put forward, noting their previous overtures for a tie-up were met with betrayal. More than a month has passed, but there has been no visible progress in the matter, with both sides putting the ball in each other's court.
The Print
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Their seniors should come forward: Aaditya on potential tie-up between Sena (UBT) and MNS
'When they talked about it, we responded. Their seniors should come forward. We are there where we were (in the past). For the betterment of the country, Maharashtra and society, we welcome those with an open heart who are against the anti-Maharashtra BJP and (Eknath) Shinde,' Thackeray said. Talking to reporters, Thackeray said his party welcomes whoever is opposed to the 'anti-Maharashtra BJP'. Mumbai, May 25 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said his party responded to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's 'call' for rapprochement and that seniors from that party should step up to take it forward. Last month, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore 'trivial issues' and join hands, nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. Uddhav, however, had put a condition that Raj should have no truck with the BJP or the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. While the MNS chief has said that uniting in the interests of 'Marathi manoos' (Marathi-speaking people) is not difficult, former CM Uddhav Thackeray said he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided that those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. Earlier this week, senior MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande had said that Raj Thackeray would consider an alliance with the Sena (UBT) only if a concrete proposal was put forward, noting their previous overtures for a tie-up were met with 'betrayal'. More than a month has passed, but there has been no visible progress in the matter, with both sides putting the ball in each other's court. PTI PR NR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
5 reasons Thackeray cousins Raj, Uddhav may bury hatchet, rally behind ‘Marathi manoos' plank
Uddhav Thackeray, too, went through a bumpy ride. The Shiv Sena was split vertically by Eknath Shinde, the current Maharashtra deputy chief minister, in 2022. That split led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) headed by Uddhav in June that year. Raj went on to form his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in March 2006, while Uddhav took over the mantle of the Sena leadership after patriarch Balasahab Thackeray died in 2012. The MNS chief began promisingly as his outfit opened with 13 assembly seats in 2009, but then the party's graph rapidly fell—his party failed to open its account last year. Mumbai: Will the Thackerays come together, or the possibility of a reunion is just 'emotional talk'? Maharashtra's political circles are abuzz with this question, as the estranged cousins have indicated their willingness to reunite two decades after Raj Thackeray walked out of the Shiv Sena in 2005. Given these circumstances, the talk of reunion is significant because this is the first time that Uddhav has reacted positively towards Raj's overtures. In a podcast with actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar released Saturday, the MNS chief said that, for the larger good of Maharashtra, he is willing to forget 'insignificant fights' with Uddhav. To this, Uddhav responded saying that he was willing to let go of their small differences if Raj was willing not to hobnob with Mahayuti leaders whom he considers 'anti-Maharashtra'. Although Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders like Sanjay Raut have said both brothers need to take the call, second-rung MNS leaders such as Sandip Deshpande have questioned why the Sena (UBT) did not respond positively earlier when Raj approached it on multiple occasions. ThePrint looks at five reasons which could prompt the two Thackerays to keep their differences aside to reclaim the legacy of Bal Thackeray. Also Read: Amid 'Hindi imposition' cry against Fadnavis govt, why Raj Thackeray's voice is the loudest Existential crisis Both the Thackerays are keeping their options open. In the case of Uddhav, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief mellowed down his attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis immediately post Maharashtra elections, giving a perception that he was keeping his options open. The Sena (UBT) won 20 assembly seats, half of which were in Mumbai. The results showed that the party had limited presence in the rest of Maharashtra. On the other hand, Raj has been frequently meeting Shinde and Fadnavis, keeping both of them at equal distance. The MNS chief's decision to contest solo backfired, as the party's vote share tumbled down from 6 percent to 1 percent. Both parties and cousins—who call themselves custodians of Marathi manoos—face existential questions. In its latest edition, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana reiterated its stand of the idea of reconciliation with Raj and blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for Raj's political misfortunes. BJP, it said, manipulated Raj into following 'fake Hindutva' and he fell into that trap. 'Shinde Sena and BJP used Raj Thackeray to attack Shiv Sena,' it added. With BJP leaders and Shinde attacking Uddhav vociferously, a reconciliation could give additional ammunition to the former Maharashtra chief minister to take on rivals who were instrumental in his party's split. Isolation of Eknath Shinde Post the results of the assembly elections, Shinde was hoping to repeat his chief ministerial term, but the BJP pushed for Fadnavis for the top job. A visibly upset Shinde has been left sulking all these months. Shinde even met Raj to possibly form an alliance with him for the upcoming civic body polls in Maharashtra. Any such alliance can be a boost for Shinde and his Shiv Sena in the polls. Those chances remain slim given the two Thackerays would benefit more—in the event of a reconciliation—with the consolidation of Marathi votes in their favour. With Fadnavis already cornering Shinde within the Mahayuti, it would be difficult for Shinde to fight back, leaving him isolated. Ground fertile for Thackerays Mahayuti's announcement that Hindi would be a third language in primary schools in Maharashtra provides a perfect opportunity for the two cousins to come together with Marathi manoos as their central theme. Since the Shiv Sena was formed in 1966 on the Marathi manoos plank, Raj and Uddhav can join hands by presenting themselves as the faces against 'Hindi imposition' in Maharashtra. Civic body polls Shiv Sena has been ruling the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) since 1997 but since the rebellion led by Shinde and many ex-corporators leaving Uddhav, it would be tough to retain the prestigious civic body. Raj faces a similar situation in the Nashik Municipal Corporation which has been under his party since 2012. If the cousins come together, and Marathis vote for the alliance, there is a strong chance of Shiv Sena (UBT) retaining the BMC and possibly the MNS getting good traction in other civic bodies. Frictions within MVA Post elections, MVA has faltered in putting up a united front. Even during the Maharashtra Assembly sessions, Aghadi MLAs and MLCs seem to have lacked coordination on the floor. The erstwhile Shiv Sena under Uddhav walked out of its alliance with BJP in 2014 over seat-sharing issues, only to join the government headed by Fadnavis in some months. In 2019, Uddhav joined the rival camps comprising the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and went on to head the Aghadi government till 2022. Raj, meanwhile, has switched to multiple combinations over the past 10 years. In the 2019 general election, he supported the Congress and NCP. Since the move did not bear fruit, the MNS chief extended unconditional support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). His party did not contest any seat in the last year's general election. The Maharashtra poll results were brutal for Raj, since even his son Amit lost in his political debut at Mahim, coming third in the seat. Amit managed to secure just 31,611 votes. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: The legend of Waghya—Shivaji's dog stirring Maharashtra's caste cauldron, again
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Gen-Z will not forgive us if we fail to reunite: Sena (UBT)
After resistance from second rung leaders of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) about the possible reunion between their party and Shiv Sena (UBT), the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Sena on Monday urged them to let bygones be bygones and make a fresh start, in the interest of future generations. Raj Thackeray, MNS chief, who is on vacation to London, on the other hand, told his partymen not to speak on the issue till his return on April 30. Taking the idea of the reunion a step further, through its editorial of the party mouthpiece 'Saamana' titled, 'Maharashtrala Aankhi Kay Have' the Thackeray faction of Sena expressed the need for the estranged cousins to come together and lauded Raj for continuously speaking in the interest of Marathi language. The editorial also underlined how Raj had in the past raised his voice against anti-Maharashtra politics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah but 'later he got trapped in the fake Hindutva politics of BJP'. ALSO READ | 'Modern Duryodhan': Shiv Sena claims Uddhav Thackeray opposed Raj Thackeray's rise in party 'BJP's politics is that of use and throw. Modi-Shah and Fadnavis never thought of national interest; so how is it possible that they will care about Maharashtra? BJP wants to divide Marathi unity so that they can give control of Mumbai to non-Marathi people – the Dharavi Redevelopment Project illustrates this. Maharashtra wants the union of the brothers; but if the dispute continues, future generations will not forgive us,' said the editorial. Earlier, soon after news of the patch-up started doing the rounds on Saturday, Sandeep Deshpande, Mumbai president of MNS and a close Raj aide, harked back to the 2014 assembly elections when both cousins were poised to enter into an alliance but 'Uddhav Thackeray let the party down and fought the election solo'. This was repeated during the 2017 civic elections, leading Deshpande to 'question the credibility Uddhav Thackeray'. On other hand, Ameya Khopkar, president of MNS cinema wing, put out a social media post that stated: 'I pray to the god against such an indecent alliance.' On Monday afternoon, the MNS chief spoke to his leaders on the phone and asked them to recede. 'Don't speak any more on the issue. I will look into it after I return,' Raj reportedly told is party colleagues. ALSO READ | Raj Thackeray asks MNS leaders not to speak about reconciliation with Uddhav Reacting to the negative sentiments among MNS leaders, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said: 'When top leaders from both parties make a statement, we should take them seriously. It is always good to forget the past and start on a fresh note.' 'Chiefs of both the parties have spoken on this issue so workers like me won't comment on it,' Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray told mediapersons on Monday. In his podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, which was aired on Saturday, Raj had said uniting in the interest of Marathis was not difficult, and that he had no qualms about working with Uddhav. The same day, at a separate event, Uddhav had said he was ready to put aside trivial disputes provided that those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained.
Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Reunion bid by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray is ‘befitting reply' to those who are anti-Maharashtra: ‘Saamana'
Emphasising that 'Marathi manoos ' should come together for the sake of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana Monday described the reunion bid by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray as a 'Befitting reply' to those who are anti-Maharashtra. 'Marathi manoos has the strength and power to fight against those who are anti-Maharashtra. And that is why Marathi manoos should come together. Raj Thackeray understands the importance of reunion, and Uddhav Thackeray has responded positively,' the paper said in its editorial. Discussions about the potential unification of Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) gained momentum starting Saturday. This development followed Uddhav's positive response to Raj's suggestion that they put aside their differences and come together for Maharashtra. Saamana said the possible reunion of the two cousins has caused unease among many, while some are feigning happiness. 'Whatever is in the heart of Maharashtra should take place. If we continue to fight and dispute all our lives, the future generation of Maharashtra will never forgive us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis do not belong to the nation. Then how will they belong to Maharashtra state?' the paper asked. The paper stated that after Raj left the undivided Shiv Sena, founded by his uncle and Uddhav's father, Bal Thackeray, in 2005 and formed the MNS, his party received public support in civic and Assembly elections; however, it later suffered a setback. 'He took the support of the BJP and the Shinde Sena to attack us. As a result, the Marathi unity suffered a setback. Raj had taken a stand not to allow Modi-Shah to put their foot on Maharashtra's soil. He said they were not working in Maharashtra's interest. He, however, did not stick to his stand,' the paper said, adding that the BJP trapped Raj in its 'fake Hindutva'. The paper downplayed the disputes between the two Thackerays. 'In an interview, Raj said whatever has happened, their dispute and differences are trivial compared to the bigger issues.' 'What are these disputes Raj is talking about? The disputes never came out in public. Raj continued to speak about Marathi manoos, and Uddhav Thackeray has done the same over the years. Both have spoken about Marathi manoos and Maharashtra's interests. Then what are disputes about? If we keep out the BJP and Shinde Sena, then the disputes will not remain. Because they are the ones who caused the disputes,' the paper added. The paper stated that when Raj expressed his wish, Uddhav responded immediately and positively. 'Uddhav Thackeray said if there were some minor disputes, he was ready to keep them aside. By doing this, Uddhav sounded the trumpet of Maharashtra's public sentiments. Any such disputes are zero compared to Maharashtra's self-respect and pride.' Saamana said the only expectation that Uddhav expressed is that Raj should not hobnob with those who are enemies of Maharashtra. 'There is a painful reason behind this. Amit Shah, Modi, Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde have tried to weaken Maharashtra. They attacked Shiv Sena, which Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray founded… Raj Thackeray was born in the womb of the same Shiv Sena. And therefore, Uddhav Thackeray expects that Raj Thackeray should not align with such people,' the paper added.
