Putting an end to a frosty association, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray stood close to each other.
The stars aligned in the political firmament, with a rally at the NSCI Dome in Worli.
Mumbai witnessed a statement of bonding between the two, a reconciliation that was long due and needed nearly 20 years.
The catalyst for this reunion was the Marathi language. The two leaders came together to celebrate the rollback of two General Resolutions issued by the government, which had introduced Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state-run schools.
“Uddhav and I are coming together after 20 years… What Balasaheb Thackeray could not do, thousands of others couldn’t do, Devendra Fadnavis managed to do that,” Raj Thackeray said in a charged speech delivered in Marathi.
He went on to claim that the Maharashtra Government’s decision to withdraw the three-language formula was a direct result of the unity shown by the Marathi-speaking people. According to him, the earlier move was a precursor to a larger plan to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. With Uddhav seated beside him, Raj reminded the audience, “Balasaheb Thackeray studied in an English school, worked in an English newspaper but never compromised on the status of Marathi.” He questioned, “Why is Hindi being forced on children?”
Raj Thackeray, nephew of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, had broken away from the party in 2006 after accusing its leadership of sidelining him. He went on to form the MNS, which made an electoral mark by winning 13 seats in the 2009 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Analysts view Raj’s renewed emphasis on Marathi pride as a strategic move to rebuild his political base ahead of key civic and state polls.
Uddhav Thackeray, speaking with characteristic resolve, said, “We have come together to stay together… We have united to protect Marathi.” He added, “I want to tell you all that us coming together is just a trailer. This is just the beginning…”
Uddhav Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed the sentiment. “After 20 years, the two brothers have come together… The BJP has brought them closer. The interest of Marathi people will take priority. Both brothers are very enthusiastic. The public wanted them to unite. The times demand that they stand together,” she said.
The rally was more than just a symbolic gathering. It drew thousands of Marathi enthusiasts, party loyalists, and cultural icons, all draped in saffron. Reports described the event as a special occasion, charged with emotion and political undertones.
The atmosphere quickly turned celebratory: the event purportedly marked a resurgent assertion of Marathi identity and a political realignment that could alter the trajectory of the state’s leadership.
With eyes set firmly on the future, Uddhav Thackeray declared his intent. Speaking with the confidence that defines him, he said that Raj Thackeray and he would seize control of the Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra, referring directly to the upcoming elections in 29 municipal corporations across the state.
Referencing BJP leader Yogi Adityanath’s controversial remarks ahead of last year’s Assembly polls, Uddhav said, “In Gujarat, Patels were polarised and the rest of them used as a consolidated votebank. In Haryana, the Jats were provoked and the rest of them used as votebank as well. We understand ‘batenge toh katenge’ now.”
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