After nearly 20 years of separation, Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), stepped back into Shiv Sena Bhavan on Sunday, marking a politically significant reunion with his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). This return to the iconic Sena headquarters in Dadar follows the announcement of a pre-poll alliance between the two leaders for the upcoming Maharashtra civic body elections, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election.
The reunion carries substantial emotional and political weight. Raj Thackeray described the visit as "emotionally overwhelming," stating that it felt like being released from jail after 20 years, as he was repeatedly asked about his feelings upon returning. He reminisced about his long association with the building and the fond memories he holds of Shiv Sena Bhavan.
The alliance between the Thackeray cousins comes at a critical time, with elections to 29 civic bodies, including the 227-member BMC, scheduled for January 15. The undivided Shiv Sena had continuously governed the BMC from 1997 to 2022, making the reclamation of power in the civic body essential for the alliance's political survival.
During a joint appearance at Shiv Sena Bhavan, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray launched a coordinated attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Uddhav accused the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance of "stealing candidates" and undermining democratic processes, alleging that the ruling bloc has moved from "stealing votes to stealing candidates" ahead of the municipal corporation elections. He claimed that democracy in the country is being replaced by "mobocracy". These accusations arose after reports of numerous candidates from rival parties withdrawing their nominations, resulting in uncontested victories for the ruling alliance.
In a united front, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray also released their joint manifesto, titled 'Vachan Nama', for the BMC elections. The manifesto emphasizes Marathi identity and civic governance, with both leaders asserting that the next mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi person. The 'Vachan Nama' outlines promises related to improving civic infrastructure, affordable housing, public transport, healthcare facilities, and education, while stressing accountability and transparency in the functioning of the BMC. Furthermore, the alliance pledged to provide ₹1500 monthly to domestic workers in Mumbai, along with subsidized meal thalis at ₹10.
Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP and close aide of Uddhav, accompanied the cousins, highlighting the shared history and camaraderie. The reunion and alliance signify a renewed effort to consolidate regional sentiment and challenge the BJP's dominance in Maharashtra's political landscape. This united front aims to restore efficient local governance and protect the interests of Mumbai's residents.
