In the wake of a heated political row over the Maharashtra government’s decision to introduce Hindi as a mandatory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5, a rare moment of political convergence is emerging. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray have signaled a willingness to bury their differences and join hands in the interest of the Marathi people and the state.
Speaking in a podcast with filmmaker and actor Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj Thackeray touched on multiple topics—from the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and Eknath Shinde’s politics to a possible reconciliation with his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray.
“The disputes and disagreements between us are minor, compared to greater causes. Maharashtra is far bigger than our personal issues. These matters are trivial in the fight for the existence of the Marathi identity,” Raj said, adding, “Coming together or working together isn’t a difficult thing—it’s only a matter of will.”
Recounting his time in the Shiv Sena, Raj said he never had objections to working with Uddhav Thackeray. He clarified that he holds no ego in such matters. “For me, the interest of Maharashtra is bigger and everything else is secondary before it. For that, I can set aside minor disputes, and I’m ready to work with Uddhav. The only question is whether he too is ready for it,” he stated.
In a swift response, Uddhav Thackeray echoed a similar sentiment during a public function of his party’s trade union wing, Bharatiya Kamgar Sena. “I have put an end to all fights. I am ready to come together in the interest of Maharashtra and the Marathi language,” Uddhav said, adding a caveat that Raj must not align with those working against Maharashtra’s interests.
The developments come at a crucial time, with public anger simmering over the government's language decision and growing calls to protect the Marathi identity in the state’s education and culture. Political observers view the Thackeray cousins' potential reunion as a game-changing moment ahead of key local elections, particularly in Mumbai.
