Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray reunite during the ‘Awaj Marathicha’ event in Mumbai on Saturday, July 05, 2025. (Photo: IANS)
Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday announced that joining hands with estranged brother and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief on the issue of protection of Marathi language, Marathi Manoos and Maharashtra while opposing the imposition of Hindi is just the beginning and they will continue to remain together in future, to achieve Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream for Maharashtra.
At a victory rally organised jointly by Shiv Sena UBT and MNS in the presence of Raj Thackeray to celebrate the state government’s decision to withdraw introduction of Hindi along with Marathi in schools, Uddhav Thackeray said, “The gap between us was removed by Anaji Pant (referring to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis). Now I don't expect them to create division. We have come together. To live together," he declared amidst thunderous applause and slogans by Shiv Sainiks and MNS workers.
He also announced that imposition of Hindi would not be tolerated in the state.
He led a blistering attack against BJP alleging that it uses allies for its convenience and declared that he and brother Raj will now throw it out of power in Maharashtra.
“My father fought against this hypocrisy and we have come together for him. Their (BJP’s) job is to use and throw away. Now we both will throw you away. If Balasaheb Thackeray's hand was not on your head, where would you be?” he asked. He also slammed BJP for accusing him of leaving Hindutva saying that he has neither sacrificed Hindutva nor the resolve to fight for the Marathi pride.
“Hindutva is not the monopoly of any language. We, who speak authentic Marathi, are more patriotic Hindus than you,” he taunted.
Uddhav Thackeray further said that when he was the CM, the Marathi language was made compulsory and construction of Marathi Bhabha Bhavan was started, however, claimed that it was later repealed by Devendra Fadnavis led government.
Referring to the CM Fadnavis’ warning that hooliganism in the name of Marathi would not be tolerated, Uddhav Thackeray said, “If a Marathi person in Maharashtra is seeking justice and you call him a goon, we are goons. Mumbai is our right, we fought and we took it. We had supported the removal of Article 370 in Kashmir. We do not force Hindi. But if someone oppose Marathi in the state, it would be retaliated,” he said.
He also took a dig at BJP and Shiv Sena, saying that “Some say that his M is not Marathi, it is the M of the Municipal Corporation. But for us, M is Maharashtra.”
“Power comes and goes, but unity is strength,” he added.
He slammed BJP for 'batenge To katenge' call given during elections and accused it of creating division among the Marathi people.
'Historic moment for Mumbai': Priyanka Chaturvedi hints at political unity between Thackeray brothers
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday said the coming together of “Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray after 19 years has generated unprecedented enthusiasm among the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra.”
Speaking to IANS, she said, “It’s a historic moment for Mumbai, for Maharashtra. The two brothers who were separated for 19 years have come together again. And, as Raj Thackeray himself said, what Balasaheb Thackeray couldn’t achieve, Devendra Fadnavis has managed to do," referring to the Hindi language row which ultimately led to the reunion of estranged brothers after nearly two decades.
The ruling Mahayuti coalition's recent rollback of a controversial policy mandating Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra's primary schools has served as the trigger for this show of unity by the Thackeray cousins.
The visuals of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray sharing the stage beaming on TV channels have triggered intense political speculation in Maharashtra. The joint appearance comes at a time when the political landscape in Mumbai is witnessing tectonic shifts, with the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections seen as a make-or-break battle for several parties.
Asked if a political alliance between Uddhav and Raj is possible, Chaturvedi said, “Absolutely, if the people want it, both brothers will understand their responsibilities.”
If Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) come together, it could significantly alter the arithmetic in Mumbai’s political arena, potentially posing a strong challenge to the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
With emotions running high and Marathi pride politics back in focus, all eyes are now on the next move by the Thackeray cousins. Whether this is a personal thaw or the beginning of a larger political script remains to be seen.
