In a significant political development, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, who are cousins, shared a public stage in Mumbai today, marking their first joint appearance in 20 years. The rally, organized by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), was held at Worli Dome.
The reunion of the Thackeray brothers is seen as a potentially important moment in Maharashtra politics, especially with upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections within the next six months. The rally was held to celebrate what the two parties consider a victory: the Maharashtra government's decision to withdraw two government resolutions concerning the introduction of Hindi as a compulsory language in primary schools.
The decision to come together was motivated by a shared concern for the Marathi language and the interests of the "Marathi Manoos". Both Uddhav and Raj aim to challenge the BJP-led MahaYuti government in Maharashtra by highlighting these issues.
The rally was announced after the government rolled back its decision regarding Hindi in primary schools. This decision was seen as a political victory for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS. The rally served as a platform for the two parties to demonstrate their united front and address their supporters.
While the reunion has generated considerable buzz, key figures from the Congress party and Sharad Pawar were absent from the event. This absence may point to the complexities and potential challenges in building a broader coalition.
The coming together of the Thackeray cousins after two decades is a noteworthy event with potential implications for the political landscape of Maharashtra. Their united stance on Marathi language and regional identity could resonate with voters and pose a challenge to the ruling government in the upcoming BMC elections. The rally served as a visible demonstration of their renewed alliance and shared goals.