<p>Mumbai: In what signals a churning in Maharashtra politics, finally the Thackeray cousins - Uddhav and Raj - are coming together on a common public political platform after a gap of 20 years. </p><p>While Uddhav, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, is the son of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Raj, the MNS president, is the nephew of the charismatic and firebrand leader. </p><p>Balasaheb stood for Maharashtra and the cause of Marathi-manoos and the same issue has brought the warring cousins together. </p>.Govt withdrew language policy GRs to prevent protest; must maintain Marathi unity: Uddhav.<p>After the threat of protest march and rally, the Maharashtra government was forced to withdraw two orders on the three-language formula under the New Education Policy introducing Hindi as a third language in Marathi and English schools from Class 1-5.</p><p>Now the “victory celebrations” would be held on July 5 at 10 am at the Dome in Sardar Vallabhbhai Stadium, National Sports Club of India in Worli. </p><p>The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, on their official social media platforms, made the joint appeal signed by “Raj Thackeray - Uddhav Thackeray”.</p><p>“We are just the organisers…you have to celebrate,” the joint appeal said. </p><p>The coming together of the Thackeray cousins is being closely watched by the top brass of the ruling Maha Yuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. </p><p>Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who is an aide of Uddhav and friend of Raj, posted on X: “Decided…5 July…Marathi’s victory celebrations…Thackerays are coming.” </p><p>The coming together of the Thackeray is very significant because of the forthcoming local bodies elections involving 29 municipal corporations, 257 municipal councils, 26 zilla parishads, 289 panchayat samitis would go to polls - which accounts for over 60 per cent of state’s population spread across the five geographical regions - Konkan, Western Maharashtra, North Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha. </p><p>Raj had floated MNS on March 9, 2006 and has the ‘railway engine’ symbol. Uddhav now heads Shiv Sena (UBT) and has the ‘mashaal’ (flaming torch) symbol.</p><p>The year 2024 came with a mixed bag. In the Lok Sabha polls, the MVA performed very well in Maharashtra. However, Fadnavis with the support of the RSS turned tables and ensured that the opposition benches did not get the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.</p><p>In the 2024 Vidhan Sabha polls, Shiv Sena could barely get 20 seats and MNS failed to open its account. </p>
<p>Mumbai: In what signals a churning in Maharashtra politics, finally the Thackeray cousins - Uddhav and Raj - are coming together on a common public political platform after a gap of 20 years. </p><p>While Uddhav, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, is the son of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Raj, the MNS president, is the nephew of the charismatic and firebrand leader. </p><p>Balasaheb stood for Maharashtra and the cause of Marathi-manoos and the same issue has brought the warring cousins together. </p>.Govt withdrew language policy GRs to prevent protest; must maintain Marathi unity: Uddhav.<p>After the threat of protest march and rally, the Maharashtra government was forced to withdraw two orders on the three-language formula under the New Education Policy introducing Hindi as a third language in Marathi and English schools from Class 1-5.</p><p>Now the “victory celebrations” would be held on July 5 at 10 am at the Dome in Sardar Vallabhbhai Stadium, National Sports Club of India in Worli. </p><p>The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, on their official social media platforms, made the joint appeal signed by “Raj Thackeray - Uddhav Thackeray”.</p><p>“We are just the organisers…you have to celebrate,” the joint appeal said. </p><p>The coming together of the Thackeray cousins is being closely watched by the top brass of the ruling Maha Yuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. </p><p>Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who is an aide of Uddhav and friend of Raj, posted on X: “Decided…5 July…Marathi’s victory celebrations…Thackerays are coming.” </p><p>The coming together of the Thackeray is very significant because of the forthcoming local bodies elections involving 29 municipal corporations, 257 municipal councils, 26 zilla parishads, 289 panchayat samitis would go to polls - which accounts for over 60 per cent of state’s population spread across the five geographical regions - Konkan, Western Maharashtra, North Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha. </p><p>Raj had floated MNS on March 9, 2006 and has the ‘railway engine’ symbol. Uddhav now heads Shiv Sena (UBT) and has the ‘mashaal’ (flaming torch) symbol.</p><p>The year 2024 came with a mixed bag. In the Lok Sabha polls, the MVA performed very well in Maharashtra. However, Fadnavis with the support of the RSS turned tables and ensured that the opposition benches did not get the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.</p><p>In the 2024 Vidhan Sabha polls, Shiv Sena could barely get 20 seats and MNS failed to open its account. </p>