Thackeray Cousins Hint At Reunion Amid Call For Marathi Unity: 'Maharashtra Much Bigger Than Our Disputes'

The Thackeray family - which underwent a political split in 2005 when Raj Thackeray formed his own party - could be on the verge of a dramatic reunion.

Estranged cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray have both indicated a possible reconciliation amid growing concerns over perceived threats to Marathi identity and culture.

Photo Credit: PTI

Speaking at separate events, the two leaders - who head the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) respectively - delivered a unified message: that the linguistic and cultural interests of Maharashtra must take precedence over political rivalries.

During a podcast hosted by actor Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj Thackeray remarked that the rift between him and his cousin was detrimental to the state's welfare.

"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 Thackeray stated.

Uddhav Thackeray, meanwhile, while addressing a Bhartiya Kamgar Sena gathering, expressed a conditional willingness to reconcile.

"I'm ready to put aside petty disputes. I appeal to all Marathi people to unite in the interest of Maharashtra. But there is a condition - when we pointed out in Parliament that industries were being shifted to Gujarat, if we had united then, we could have formed a government that worked for Maharashtra. We cannot keep switching sides - supporting them one day, opposing them the next, and then compromising again," he said.

"Anyone who acts against Maharashtra's interests - I will not welcome them, invite them home, or sit with them. Let this be clear first, and then let us work together for Maharashtra," Uddhav added.