‘Thackeray, Pawar Brands Can’t Be Wiped Out,’ Raj Says; Raut Reveals Uddhav’s Stance On Reunion Buzz
Raj Thackeray asserted that attempts to erase the Pawar and Thackeray political legacies will fail. Amidst speculation of reconciliation, Sanjay Raut hinted at a possible alliance for the "Marathi people's" interest.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has asserted that attempts have been made to eliminate the Pawar and Thackeray brands from politics, but maintained that these legacies cannot be wiped out. Speaking at an event organised by a Marathi news portal in Pune, Raj Thackeray underscored the enduring relevance of the Pawar and Thackeray surnames in the political landscape of Maharashtra and the nation.
“As far as the Thackeray brand is concerned, my grandfather Prabhodankar Thackeray had the first major impact on Maharashtra. After him, it was Balasaheb Thackeray, followed by my father, Shrikant Thackeray, who made a mark in music. Later, both Uddhav and I made our impact,” said Raj Thackeray, as quoted by news agency PTI.
He emphasised that despite ongoing efforts to finish off these political legacies, “they will not be wiped out easily”. According to him, even if leadership changes over time, the brands will endure.
The MNS chief’s remarks come amid growing speculation about a possible reconciliation between him and his estranged cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray—nearly two decades after their political split.
Maharashtra’s political landscape has seen significant upheaval in recent years, with splits in both the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). In 2022, the Shiv Sena split with a major faction led by Eknath Shinde, now the Deputy Chief Minister, breaking away. Similarly, the NCP witnessed a division in 2023, when Ajit Pawar took a majority of the legislators and joined the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), suffered a major setback in the 2024 assembly elections, securing only 46 out of 288 seats, while the MNS failed to open its account.
Uddhav’s Stand Regarding Alliance With Raj Thackeray Is ‘Manase, Dil Se’: Sanjay Raut
On Saturday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut indicated a positive outlook towards an alliance with Raj Thackeray’s MNS, stating that the move would be in the “interest of the Marathi people”.
“Uddhavji’s stand regarding an alliance with Raj Thackeray for the sake of the Marathi people is ‘from the mind and the heart’,” said Raut, using the Marathi wordplay “‘manase’ aur ‘dil se’” to underscore the sentiment, as per PTI.
The buzz around a potential thaw between the Thackeray cousins has intensified, particularly after recent public statements from both sides suggesting willingness to “ignore trivial issues” and join hands in the larger interest of the “Marathi manoos” (Marathi-speaking people).
MNS Leader Demands 'Substantial Proposal' From Shiv Sena UBT For Alliance With Raj Thackeray
Senior MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande on Thursday said that Raj Thackeray would consider such an alliance only if a “substantial proposal” was presented. “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,” Deshpande stated.
As per PTI, he also recalled past efforts by the MNS to forge a tie-up, alleging they had been met with “betrayal”.
Local body elections, including for major civic corporations such as Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur, and Pune, are scheduled to take place later this year. The possibility of a Thackeray-Thackeray alliance could significantly impact the evolving political dynamics in Maharashtra.
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