Hindi ‘imposition’: Uddhav, Raj Thackeray hint at reunion in Maharashtra’s ‘interest’
Raj Thackeray clarifies that there was a clear difference between him parting ways with Shiv Sena in 2005 and the split led by Eknath Shinde in 2022
In a development that could significantly alter the political landscape of Maharashtra, the estranged Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, have hinted at a reunion following the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language.
The two leaders parted ways in the early 2000s after Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray chose his mild-mannered and organisation-minded son Uddhav over his firebrand nephew Raj as his successor. Raj went on to launch Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) soon after.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that this is not a new order but part of NEP 2020. He said Marathi is already compulsory in schools and Hindi is being added as a "link language" to support the Central government’s goal of national integration, reported India Today.
Political circles were abuzz after the two leaders at different events suggested that they were ready to set aside differences for the larger interests of the linguistic and cultural identities of Maharashtra.
Also Read: Uddhav: Have not abandoned Hindutva, but BJP's 'mouldering' version unacceptable
'Coming together not difficult'
In a podcast with actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj was asked about the possibility of a reunion with his cousin and he did not reject it outright.
He said that the differences between him and Uddhav were proving to be detrimental to the interests of Maharashtra and termed the differences as “minor”.
Raj also hinted at a possible reunion, saying that coming together “was not difficult”.
"The disputes and fights between Uddhav and me are minor. Maharashtra is much bigger than all that. These differences are proving costly for the existence of Maharashtra and the Marathi people. Coming together is not difficult, it's a matter of will. It's not just about my desire or selfishness. We need to look at the bigger picture. All Marathi people across political parties should unite and form a single party," Raj was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Raj clarified that there was a clear difference between him parting ways with Shiv Sena in 2005 and the split led by Eknath Shinde in 2022, who joined forces with the BJP, causing the MVA government to collapse.
"I left Shiv Sena when MLAs and MPs were with me. Even then, I chose to walk alone because I couldn't work under anyone except Balasaheb Thackeray. I had no objection to working with Uddhav," he said. "The question is – does the other side have the will to work with me?" he added during the podcast.
Raj said that if the people of Maharashtra wanted him and Uddhav to reunite, then they should speak up, adding that he would not get his ego in the way in such cases. News agency ANI quoted him as saying that he was ready to come together in the interest of Maharashtra.
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Uddhav's response
Uddhav’s response on the matter added further fuel to the speculation. "I am ready to come together (with Raj Thackeray). I am ready to come forward in the interest of Maharashtra, keeping aside minor incidents. I have put an end to all fights. The interest of Maharashtra is my priority," Uddhav, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, said while addressing the 57th annual general meeting of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, as per the news agency.
The development comes at a time when the Shiv Sena (UBT) is reeling from the electoral drubbing in the last Assembly elections at the hands of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. MNS, on the other hand, never found any major electoral success.
