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Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
As Uddhav holds out hope for alliance with MNS, why Raj Thackeray is maintaining radio silence
A week after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray held a quiet, closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on June 12 that raised questions about the possibility of an alliance between the two, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has yet again signalled his eagerness to join hands with his cousin. The MNS chief, who initially signalled that he was open to an alliance with the Sena (UBT), however, has remained quiet, and his party leaders have also been dismissive about the prospects of a tie-up. While reiterating that he will do what is 'in the minds of the people of Maharashtra and the Sena cadre', Uddhav said Thursday, 'We are capable of resolving the issues between us, others need not worry about it.' Referring to the meeting between his cousin and the CM, Uddhav accused the BJP of attempting to 'thwart the reunion of the two brothers' since it knows the possible 'repercussions' of such an alliance for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. Over the past two months, since Raj sent the first signal of rapprochement to Uddhav on April 19, several Sena (UBT) leaders, including the party chief, his son Aaditya, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, have consistently expressed their willingness to ally with the MNS. Projecting it as a coming together of the 'Marathi manoos' for the larger good of the state, Sena (UBT) leveraged speeches, posters, and its mouthpiece Saamana to build public momentum for reconciliation. The theme has been clear: identity, legacy, and the Marathi cause. On June 6, Uddhav himself hinted at positive talks for an alliance. 'There is no confusion in my mind or in the minds of my party workers. Even MNS workers are in touch with us,' he said. 'What is in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra – that will happen.' The next day, the Sena (UBT)'s mouthpiece too published an archived photo of the two cousins on its front page – a rare symbolic move not seen in the past 20 years. Posters put up in Mumbai, Thane and other parts of the state called for a united Thackeray front 'to save the Marathi manoos from outsiders.' The Sena (UBT) poured symbolism and sentiment into its campaign, reviving old photos, invoking Marathi unity, and publicly expressing a willingness to sacrifice ego for the state. But the response from the MNS leadership in the past two months has remained cautious, and sometimes even dismissive. Raj has mostly remained behind the scenes, holding internal meetings and saying little directly to the media. He has not even commented publicly since his April 19 appearance on a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, where he said, 'The interest of Maharashtra is bigger than personal disagreements.' This was immediately followed up by Uddhav who, without naming his cousin, said, 'If necessary, we are ready to come together for Maharashtra, for Marathi people and the Marathi language.' What followed was a string of coordinated messaging from the Sena (UBT) leadership and workers urging the two brothers to come together, including by Raut who said on April 22 that Uddhav was 'very positive' on the idea of a tie-up. Even Aaditya Thackeray echoed this approach, stating multiple times throughout May that anyone with 'clean intentions' for Maharashtra and opposing 'anti-Maharashtra BJP' forces was welcome. Behind the Sena (UBT)'s constant outreach is its desire to prevent a fragmentation of the Marathi vote, now split three ways among Sena (UBT), Deputy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and MNS, with the BJP well-positioned to gain from this in the elections for the BMC, historically considered a Sena bastion. A united Thackeray front could have consolidated the Marathi voter across at least 10 major urban bodies. Now, the BJP-Shinde combine enters the contest facing a divided Opposition, with the MNS likely to be either a tactical ally or a disruptive wildcard. The MNS, however, has maintained distance, often dismissing the idea of an alliance, immediately after Raj's statement. On April 20, MNS leader and Mumbai party chief Sandeep Deshpande clarified that issue-based unity differs from electoral tie-ups, saying, 'Marathis can also come together for issues of interest to Maharashtra' and that alliance for elections is a 'narrow-minded idea'. The message was clear: unity on issues, not necessarily seats and polls. Three days later, he said the Sena (UBT) would have to make a formal proposal if it wanted an alliance. Past overtures by the MNS were met with 'betrayal', he added. Raj's son Amit Thackeray said on June 5 that in 2014, 2017, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, his father had made the first move by calling Uddhav, but there was no response. The following day, despite Uddhav's positive statements on an alliance that same day, MNS leaders Deshpande and Thane district party chief Avinash Jadhav firmly denied receiving any formal proposal. 'Alliances don't happen before cameras; decisions follow offers… There was no positive response from (Uddhav's) end in the past. So this time, we will be cautious. Sanjay Raut should ask Uddhav to directly call Raj – he will get a positive response,' the leaders said. On Friday, Deshpande pushed back further, questioning the timing of the Sena (UBT)'s overtures. 'How come suddenly the Sena (UBT) has become so positive for an alliance? Four months ago, they were taking objections over the MNS using photos of Bal Thackeray. Is it just because of their political situation? Is it because they managed to win just 20 seats in the Assembly polls? Had they won 60 seats, would they have been so enthusiastic?' Deshpande said. The idea of a Thackeray reunion appeals to a sizeable section of Marathi voters who are nostalgic for the undivided Shiv Sena. But for now, until a direct conversation takes place between Uddhav and Raj, the alliance remains more a matter of speculation than strategy. According to MNS insiders, behind the emotional appeals lies a clear motive for the Sena (UBT). After losing its symbol to Eknath Shinde's party after the split in 2022 and the debacle in 2024 Assembly polls, the Sena (UBT) is now working to shore up its urban Marathi base — especially in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and parts of Pune where the MNS's influence still resonates — ahead of the pending local body elections. Party insiders say there are other concerns for Raj: any alliance risks painting the MNS as the 'younger brother' or 'junior partner', making it secondary both in perception and seat sharing. 'The Sena (UBT) wants us for our vote base, but they won't give us space. Why would Raj walk into that trap?' an MNS leader said. Data for the most recent municipal corporation elections held between 2014 and 2019, however, shows that the MNS has limited presence in civic bodies. The MNS, contesting across 21 of the 27 corporations, won just 26 out of a total 2,736 seats with an overall vote share of 3.56%. In the previous set of municipal corporation elections from 2009 to 2014, the MNS won 162 of the total 2,543 seats, securing an overall vote share of 12.43%. Ideological discomfort is also playing a role. The MNS, which has leaned sharply towards Hindutva in the past five years, finds little resonance with Sena (UBT)'s current INDIA bloc allies, the Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar). 'The MNS has always fought to maintain its independent identity,' another senior leader explained. 'If we ally with Uddhav, he gains legitimacy and numbers. What do we get?' As far as an alliance with the BJP goes, the BJP sees a clear advantage in bringing the MNS into the ruling Mahayuti, especially in urban pockets where the regional outfit holds sway among the Marathi youth. The party's firm stances on illegal migrants, loudspeakers, and cultural assertion make it a natural fit for the BJP's urban Hindutva strategy. For Raj, the deal is transactional, not ideological, offering visibility, leverage, and resources, without surrendering political independence.
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Every daughter-in-law is my beloved sister': Deputy CM Eknath Shinde launches ‘Dowry-Free Maharashtra' campaign
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Thursday announced the launch of the 'Dowry-Free Maharashtra' campaign under the Shiv Sena Mahila Aghadi, the party's women's wing, to 'ensure those who harass our sisters are dealt with firmly'. Shinde formally launched the anti-dowry drive, and unveiled the campaign's official logo during the Shiv Sena's 59th Foundation Day event held in Worli. The deputy CM said the Shiv Sena Mahila Aghadi will implement the Dowry-Free Maharashtra campaign across the state. The announcement comes against the backdrop of the death of Vaishnavi Hagawane in Pune, allegedly due to dowry harassment. According to the police, Vaishnavi Hagawane allegedly died by suicide at her in-laws' house in the Pune district on May 16. Shinde said that after Hagawane's death, the entire state of Maharashtra was shaken. 'From now on, every daughter-in-law of Maharashtra is my beloved sister. The campaign will kick start from Anand Ashram in Thane, and will be expanded across the state through the Sena shakhas. Every Sena shakha will now be the first maternal home for our beloved daughters-in-law who are facing dowry-related harassment. Our Mahila Aghadi will ensure those who harass our sisters are dealt with firmly,' Shinde said. He said that to prevent dowry-related deaths, the Sena's women's wing will reach every corner of Maharashtra, and fight for the rights of women who are being harassed for dowry. It will provide legal support, drive public awareness, and deliver justice for dowry‑harassed women. The NCP (SP), led by party MP Supriya Sule, has also launched a statewide anti‑dowry campaign called 'Dowry‑Free, Violence‑Free Maharashtra.' It's set to begin Sunday, June 22, and run for a full year, aiming to cultivate cross-party unity and lasting awareness against dowry and harassment of women.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘You are already finished': Shinde rebukes Thackeray
MUMBAI: The 59th foundation day of the Shiv Sena on Thursday was marked by bitter accusations, taunts and a virtual declaration of war ahead of local body elections in the state. Quoting from Nana Patekar-starrer Prahaar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray challenged his bête noir Eknath Shinde, saying, 'Come on, kill me!' Uddhav launched his attack at Shanmukhananda Hall, where the Sena (UBT) was celebrating the party's foundation day. Shinde, whose faction of the Sena was celebrating the occasion at the NSCI Dome in Worli, countered Uddhav, declaring that he did not want to kill someone who was 'already finished'. Shinde's speech was largely devoted to slamming Uddhav and emphasising that his faction was the 'original Sena', which was carrying forward the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He said the strike rate of his party was very high. 'In 2014, the (undivided) Shiv Sena contested 282 seats and won 63 seats. In 2019, the (undivided) Shiv Sena contested 124 seats and won 56 seats, and this time (2024), they (Sena-UBT) contested 85 seats and won 20. Of this, many were won with slender margins. Many seats were won due to Congress votes as real Shiv Sena voters had bid goodbye to them. We have confidence, and they (Sena-UBT) have arrogance, which will bring them to another defeat,'' said Shinde. 'They consider BMC as golden goose. Mumbai and its importance is not under threat, but their politics and finances will come under threat as their soul is in the BMC treasury, while our soul is Hindutva. There will be no compromise on it,'' said Shinde. 'Is Hindutva a T-shirt you can wear or remove any time,' he asked, referring to Thackeray's statement that he has not quit Hindutva. Virtually kickstarting the Sena's campaign for the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local bodies in the state, Shinde told party workers that the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition would contest the polls as an alliance but details would be revealed later. However, he did not comment on speculation over the reunion of the estranged Thackeray cousins – Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Challenging Shinde, Uddhav said at Shanmukhananda Hall, 'Come on, kill me,' a line from the Hindi film Prahaar. He added that if they wanted to attack, they must come with an ambulance as they would 'come walking and go back injured'. Shinde countered him, saying mere talk is not enough. 'You need a tiger's heart and strength in your wrist. How can we kill someone who is already dead? People of the state have already finished them in the assembly polls.' On the undivided Sena's legacy, Shinde declared, ''We have the Shiv Sena bow and arrow symbol, and the people's support. We have protected Balasaheb's ideology. 'Balasaheb's ideology is our wealth.' The Sena chief also taunted Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, whose friend, actor Dino Morea, is being interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). 'When Dino opens up, let's see how many people sink.' The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, an ally in the Mahayuti coalition, had faced major embarrassment due to the suicide of Vaishali Hagawane, daughter-in-law of NCP leader Rajendra Hagawane. It put Pawar in a particularly awkward position as there were pictures of him handing over the keys to an SUV, part of Vaishnavi's dowry, to her husband Shashank Hagawane. In a damage-control exercise, the Shiv Sena launched a campaign for daughters-in-law. 'Our shakhas will attend to issues faced by daughters-in-law, who face issues at home. We must treat our daughters-in-law like our daughters,'' said Shinde. Shinde said more than 50 corporators from the Sena UBT, from the 2017-22 term, had joined the Sena. 'We are growing,' he declared. In a timely move, three local Sena-UBT leaders joined Shinde's party – Ajit Bhandari (Sena-UBT vibhag pramukh and former corporator), Sanjay Jangam (shakha pramukh) and Vijendra Shinde (former corporator). Nadia Sheikh (former corporator from the NCP-SP) also joined the Sena on Thursday.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Scared BJP-Shinde desperately trying to prevent alliance with MNS': Thackeray
MUMBAI: Emphasising the need to protect the interests of Mumbai, Marathi and Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, addressing the speculation around his party's alliance with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, said that he would do 'whatever the people of Maharashtra want'. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief was speaking at the 59th anniversary function of the Shiv Sena, and his aggressive speech sounded the bugle for the upcoming BMC polls. Thackeray declared that the BJP and Shinde were desperately trying to prevent his alliance with his estranged cousin's party in order to prevent the Sena (UBT) from returning to power in Mumbai. They do not want the Marathi manoos to unite and are organising meetings for this,' he said. The efforts, he added, also stemmed from the BJP-Shinde Sena's obeisance towards Gautam Adani. Lambasting the stamp duty waiver to Adani's Dharavi Redevelopment Project, he said, 'They are fearful about what will happen to Adani if we come back to power. As Adani is their master, in order to serve his interests, these servants are disturbing the process of unity of the Marathi manoos.' Moving on to film-inspired histrionics, Thackeray cited a 1990 film, Prahar, in which Nana Patekar, a long-time Sena votary, had played an army man. 'The BJP and Shinde want to finish the Thackeray brand and our Shiv Sena,' he said. 'In Prahar, Nana Patekar challenges the goons to kill him. I am similarly daring the BJP and Shinde: 'I am standing here, come on, kill me.' But remember, when you come to kill me, I will send you back on a stretcher in an ambulance. We will win Mumbai and our saffron flag will dominate the BMC again.' Thackeray also urged his party workers to be alert to the BJP's plan 'to divide the people in the name of religion, caste and now language on the eve of the polls'. 'I have no problem with Hindi but I will not allow compulsory Hindi in primary education,' he said. 'They created conflict among Hindus over caste and now they are using language,' he said. 'People from North India living in Mumbai were associated with the Shiv Sena after the riots in 1992. With this Marathi-Hindi conflict, they want to create a divide between North Indians and our party. So be aware of this politics of divide and rule.' The Sena (UBT) chief said that such conflicts also had another purpose: to divert the attention of people away from the BMC's scams and the state government's corruption. To underline this, he gave the example of the concrete road scam and the Supreme Court's directive to cancel MMRDA's hugely inflated road works tender. Amid the controversy over his party's expelled leader Sudhakar Badgujar joining the BJP, Thackeray said the BJP was engineering defections from other parties by using power, and added that it betrayed its inability to develop new leadership in its own party. 'I pity the original BJP workers, as outsider leaders are enjoying positions of power and ruling them,' he quipped. Thackeray also criticised PM Narendra Modi by pointing out that not a single country stood in support of India against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attacks. 'Even PM Modi's friend Donald Trump invited the army chief of Pakistan,' he said. 'We supported the government in the war situation. But now I feel that India needs a prime minister who will look after the nation, since Modi only looks after the BJP. We also need another union home minister, as all Amit Shah is busy with is breaking other parties.'
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
59th foundation day of Sena: Shinde sounds BMC poll bugle, says Uddhav Sena looted Mumbai treasury
Sounding the poll bugle for the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena UBT, which ruled the civic body for over two decades, of looting it and now invoking the 'fight for Mumbai' campaign for 'political gain'. Shinde was referring to Sena UBT MLA and former minister Aaditya Thackeray's recently launched 'ladha Mumbai cha' (fight for Mumbai) campaign. He was speaking at the event to mark the 59th foundation day of Shiv Sena in Worli. 'Just like a demon's life is tied to a parrot, their lifeline is the BMC treasury, and hence they now remember Mumbai and fight for Mumbai, and are making baseless claims of plot to break Mumbai from Maharashtra,' Shinde said, alluding to the Sena UBT. He added, 'Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra. No matter who comes or even if seven generations descend, no one can separate it from the state.' Reaffirming his allegiance to Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology and referring to the foundation day event of Sena UBT, Shinde said, 'Ours is a gathering of principles, theirs is one of desperation for power. We have preserved Balasaheb's vision, and that's why Shiv Sena is charging ahead.' Taking a dig at Uddhav, Shinde said, 'Even a chameleon takes time to change colour — not these people. Balasaheb once gave up his voting rights for Hindutva but never compromised. Today, those claiming to be his heirs have sold themselves for power.' Referring to Uddhav's remark during the foundation day event of Sena UBT, Shinde said, 'What's the point of hitting someone politically dead? Maharashtra has already killed you in polls.' Recalling a dialogue from the film Prahaar, Thackeray said during a rally, 'Like Nana Patekar in the film, I am standing before these traitors and telling them, Come on, kill me.' 'You were in power all these years, looting the treasury, playing with Mumbaikars' health, and now you remember the Mumbai fight?' he asked. On ongoing investigations into the Mithi River desilting scam, Shinde warned, 'One person(actor Dino Morea) is already being probed — if he starts speaking, many will fall like dominoes. No one will escape the crocodile grip of the Mithi River.' 'Get ready to win,' he told party workers. 'The saffron flag of Mahayuti will fly high over municipal corporations, councils, and village panchayats.' During his address, Shinde announced the launch of a new campaign titled 'Dowry-free Maharashtra' to protect the women facing dowry harrassment. The initiative, spearheaded by Sena's women's wing, comes in the wake of the tragic death of Vaishnavi Hagwane in Pune, allegedly due to dowry harassment. 'Like the daughters of Maharashtra, daughter-in-laws are also like my own sisters. This campaign will begin at Anand Ashram in Thane and expand across the state. Every Sena Shakha will become a second home for women facing dowry-related abuse,' Shinde said. Earlier in the day, Shinde Sena mocked Uddhav Sena for celebrating the party's foundation day, claiming the Sena UBT came into existence only three years ago and should celebrate its foundation day on October 10, 2022, when the Election Commission granted it the name and mashal as its poll symbol.
