Thackeray brothers meet: One stage after 20 years, but will they be able to forget the old grievances?

Mumbai: Maharashtra's politics witnessed a historic moment after 20 years, when Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray shared a stage at the 'Awaaz Marathicha' rally in Worli, Mumbai. The two brothers showed solidarity for Marathi identity and against the state government's three-language policy, but the question is whether this unity will remain limited to the stage only, or will the old grievances really be forgotten?

History of 20 years of distance

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray were last seen together on stage during the Malvan by-election in 2005. That same year, Raj left Shiv Sena and founded MNS in 2006, after which the political and personal bitterness between the two increased. This distance deepened after Balasaheb Thackeray's death. Raj has repeatedly questioned Uddhav's political strategy, while Uddhav has called Raj's MNS 'BJP's B-team'.

Marathi pride added

The Thackeray brothers were warmly welcomed by a crowd of over 30,000 supporters at a rally held at the NSCI Dome in Worli on Saturday. Raj called the three-language policy a 'conspiracy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra', while Uddhav said, "Hum saath aaye, toh saath rahen rahenge." Both targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying that his policies worked to unite the Thackeray family, which even Balasaheb could not do.

Possibility of political alliance

At the rally, Uddhav indicated that the two brothers will together gain power in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra. Political analysts believe that this unity could be strategic for the upcoming BMC elections. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut made it clear that Uddhav will continue with the All India Alliance, but did not rule out an alliance with MNS for the BMC elections.

Challenges and criticisms

Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena took a dig at this unity and called it a 'compulsion of BMC elections'. BJP also termed it as a 'pretense of Marathi identity'. Experts say that the old bitterness between the workers of both the parties will be a challenge.

Way forward

Time will tell whether this unity will be limited to Marathi identity or will turn into a political alliance. The hug of the sons of Thackeray brothers, Aditya and Amit Thackeray, on stage indicates reconciliation in the next generation. But only the stage is not enough to forget 20 years of bitterness, it will require trust and strategy.