'There will be discussions': Uddhav on talks with Raj Thackeray over political alliance

On July 5, Uddhav and Raj came together on one public platform after a gap of 20 years, signaling a bigger alliance.

Mumbai: A fortnight after Thackeray cousins - Uddhav and Raj - shared dais on the issue of Marathi language, there are indications of an electoral tie-up between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS in the run-up to the Maharashtra local bodies' polls.

"There would be discussions," said Uddhav, in an interview to Saamana, when asked about possible talks with Raj regarding a political tie-up.

The two-part interview comes days after Raj, the MNS president, addressed a rally at Mira Road, the ground zero of the Marathi pride movement.

Uddhav and Raj are son and nephew, respectively, of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, and their coming together seems to be a necessity in the wake of the drubbing in the 2024 Vidhan Sabha polls.

On July 5, Uddhav and Raj came together on one public platform after a gap of 20 years, opposing the three-language formula under the New Education Policy, which aimed to introduce Hindi in Classes 1-5 in Marathi and English schools. It was a "victory rally" after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis withdrew the two GRs introducing Hindi in primary schools.

In the rally, Uddhav and Raj dropped indications of coming together politically.

During the Mira Road rally, Raj said: “I have said earlier…we are Hindus, not Hindi…don’t try and introduce Hindi in the name of Hindutva…we will not tolerate that…let me make it very clear…we (MNS) will not have any relations with anyone who does not care for Marathi…try and impose Hindi, it would be suicidal (for BJP)." The loaded political statement was clearly aimed at BJP.

In the interview to Rajya Sabha member and Saamana Executive Editor Sanjay Raut, Uddhav took it further.

When asked that they have come together after 20 years, Uddhav said: “So, who has a problem with this? If anyone has problems, why should we bother about it? Our coming together made not only Marathi people happy, but also people who speak other languages. I can clearly say that Hindi-speaking and Muslim brothers too were happy. They are openly expressing their happiness. Gujarati and Hindi-speaking people also said that 'you did well'. I can see their happiness, but if someone has a stomach ache, then that stomach ache is his own. I do not pay attention to it.”

Uddhav said that it is because of him and Raj that the government has to back out and withdraw the GRs.

When Raut pointed out that Raj had said that Balasaheb’s dream would be realised, Uddhav said: “We will fulfill what people have in mind. That is all it means.”

On the speculations of the two cousins coming together politically, Uddhav said: “Now, after 20 years we have come together. There should not be politics everywhere. For the people, for Maharashtra, whatever is needed, we are ready for that.”

When asked if he and Raj had talks on a political alliance, Uddhav said: “There would be discussions too…Now, after 20 years, we have come together. This is also not a small thing! This is a very big thing. That is why I said in my speech that it is more important for us to be seen together than listening to our speech.”