How politics split Uddhav and Raj Thackeray—and why it may reunite them

Uddhav Thackeray (L) and Raj Thackeray

In 2013, when Uddhav Thackeray proposed a truce through his newspaper Saamna, Raj Thackeray rejected it outright. Twelve years later, Raj has made a similar proposal to Uddhav. The latter has indicated a willingness to join hands but with certain conditions.

Political spectators in Maharashtra are anticipating a new chapter in the saga of the estranged Thackeray cousins. Both Uddhav and Raj are experiencing a fragile phase in their political careers, and circumstances have compelled them to contemplate a truce. However, things are not as simple as they seem, if not entirely impossible.

In 1988, when Raj Thackeray began actively engaging in the affairs of the Shiv Sena, the political landscape was abuzz with speculation that he would be the political heir of Bal Thackeray. This presumption was not unfounded. Raj shared many personality traits with his uncle and Shiv Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray. Not only did his face resemble Bal’s, but Raj also possessed the same aggression and oratorical style. Moreover, like Bal, he loved drawing cartoons.

Uddhav, Bal Thackeray’s third son, initially confined himself to photographing his father at public meetings but developed an interest in politics by the early 1990s. Bal Thackeray groomed him as a party leader as well. While Raj was flamboyant, Uddhav appeared simple and soft-spoken, unlike his father and cousin. Both played key roles in the party’s decision-making process.

July 1996 proved to be a turning point in Raj Thackeray’s political career. On July 23, the body of a man named Ramesh Kini was found in a cinema hall in Pune. His wife, Sheela, alleged that Raj and his men had mentally tortured him to vacate a rented flat at the behest of its owner. The case sparked a political uproar and caused embarrassment for the Shiv Sena. The CBI took over the case, interrogating Raj Thackeray and arresting his confidant, Ashutosh Rane.

After a few months, Raj’s name was cleared, but the incident altered his political trajectory and weakened his standing within the party. While Raj was embroiled in the criminal case, Uddhav gained prominence within the Shiv Sena and began calling the shots.

Uddhav’s upper hand over Raj became evident when he made major decisions for the party and sidelined Raj’s supporters during ticket distribution for the assembly and BMC polls. Uddhav surrounded himself with a coterie that acted as a barrier between him and other party functionaries. Acrimony grew between the cousins, to the point where they avoided facing each other. In 2003, Uddhav launched the “Me Mumbaikar” campaign to welcome non-Marathi-speaking Mumbaikars. However, Shiv Sena workers from Raj Thackeray’s faction thrashed north Indians at Kalyan railway station, sabotaging Uddhav’s initiative.

The bitterness between Uddhav and Raj intensified after Uddhav became the Executive President of the Shiv Sena in 2003. Raj felt his ambitions were stifled by Uddhav’s policies. Ultimately, this bitterness culminated in Raj breaking away from the party and launching his own outfit, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), in 2006.

The new party posed a challenge for Uddhav. In the 2009 Maharashtra polls, although MNS won only 13 seats, it caused the defeat of Shiv Sena candidates in numerous constituencies due to a division of votes. While the Shiv Sena faced an existential crisis, MNS succeeded in installing its mayor in the Nashik municipal corporation.

Recognizing the threat posed by MNS, Uddhav, through an interview in Saamna, indirectly offered a truce to Raj. However, Raj rejected the offer and announced his decision at a public meeting a few days later.

Now, in a podcast hosted by filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj has expressed his willingness to bury the hatchet. Uddhav also seems inclined to reunite with his estranged cousin, albeit with the condition that Raj maintain distance from the BJP.

Circumstances have compelled both Thackerays to let go of the past and come together for their political survival. While Uddhav has suffered losses due to Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, Raj Thackeray’s MNS has been reduced to a negligible force in recent elections.

However, an alliance between the two Thackerays is easier said than done. Functionaries of both parties are not keen on a coalition, as it could impact their interests. Seat-sharing arrangements would likely cause friction if both contest elections together. Moreover, the question remains: will Raj agree to the unilateral conditions imposed by Uddhav?