NEW DELHI: Is the much-hyped reunion of Thackeray cousins – Uddhav and Raj – a political masterstroke or a determined transfer to outlive within the altering Maharashtra panorama? Each Uddhav and Raj, who as soon as loved nice political clout when Model Thackeray was at its peak in state politics, are as we speak struggling to remain related in an more and more fragmented political house.Whereas Uddhav, who misplaced the unique occasion title and image to Eknath Shinde, has been marginalised after his occasion’s drubbing within the final meeting elections, Raj Thackeray has didn’t take off within the final 20 years regardless of displaying numerous promise when he began below Balasaheb. Within the final meeting elections, Raj couldn’t guarantee victory for his son Amit Thackeray who contested from Mahim contituency and misplaced to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Mahesh Sawant.In a symbolic gesture that provides gas to the hypothesis, Raj Thackeray visited Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree, on Sunday to increase birthday greetings. The go to got here simply weeks after the cousins shared the stage on the ‘Awaz Marathicha’ rally, signalling what many imagine to be the start of a tentative political rapprochement.Additionally learn – Hugs and roses: Raj Thackeray enters Matoshree after 13 years to greet Uddhav on birthdayThe speedy set off for this new-found bonhomie between cousins is probably the BMC elections. The Shiv Sena has dominated the BMC for over 20 years, persistently rising as the one largest occasion since 2002. Within the 2002 elections, the Sena received 97 seats and retained energy with the BJP‘s assist. Although its tally dropped to 84 in 2007, it managed to carry on to the civic physique. The 2012 outcomes noticed an extra dip to 75 seats, however the occasion nonetheless remained on high, once more with BJP’s backing. Even in 2017, regardless of a fierce contest and BJP closing the hole with 82 seats to Sena’s 84, the Shiv Sena maintained its grip on the nation’s richest municipal company.Nonetheless, floor realities have modified. BJP is now a really sturdy drive in Maharashtra and Shiv Sena is below the management of Shinde. So, the upcoming elections shall be a litmus check for the Thackerays to remain related within the politics of Mumbai.For Uddhav Thackeray, the stakes couldn’t be larger. After shedding the unique Shiv Sena to Eknath Shinde’s insurrection in 2022 and rebranding below the Shiv Sena (UBT) banner, Uddhav has struggled to carry floor even in his stronghold, Mumbai. His shifting alliances — from the BJP-led NDA to the Congress-NCP entrance — yielded diminishing returns, each within the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections. Now, by extending an olive department to his cousin, he hopes to cobble collectively sufficient assist to not less than stay electorally viable, if not victorious.His faction’s poor efficiency within the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections and a weakened grassroots community have pushed him right into a nook. The outreach to Raj Thackeray is being seen as a tactical, if not determined, transfer to consolidate no matter stays of the Thackeray legacy.Uddhav’s troubles started with the political coup engineered by Shinde, who walked away with over 40 MLAs, aligning with the BJP and in the end changing into Chief Minister. The episode value Uddhav not solely the CM put up but additionally the occasion image and dependable cadre. Since then, Shinde’s portrayal of a humble, working-class chief with anti-dynasty credentials has additional eroded Uddhav’s political base.As soon as the unchallenged drive in Mumbai, Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) has struggled in latest elections, shedding each political momentum and ground-level cadre assist. His reunion with Raj is now being seen as a tactical, even determined, transfer to consolidate what stays of the Thackeray model in Maharashtra.As soon as hailed as Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideological inheritor, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, who broke away from Shiv Sena in 2005 after being sidelined in favour of Uddhav, has remained on the political fringes for over a decade. His occasion didn’t construct on its early momentum, and even his son Amit Thackeray’s tried electoral debut failed.Regardless of efforts to remain related — together with Amit’s debut and a possible alliance with the BJP — Raj has struggled to rebuild MNS’s affect. A proposed tie-up with the BJP fizzled out forward of the final meeting elections, additional underlining the occasion’s weakening foothold.Now, Raj is doubling down on Balasaheb-style aggression. His latest rhetoric, together with provocative strains like “dooba dooba ke maarenge” and warnings in opposition to Hindi imposition, seems aimed toward reigniting Marathi pleasure. He has overtly defended MNS staff accused of violence in opposition to non-Marathi audio system, reviving the polarising id politics that when outlined Mumbai within the Nineties. Nonetheless, the town’s altering social and linguistic cloth has diluted the affect of such hardline positions.Initially, Raj’s firebrand oratory and Marathi-first politics resonated strongly with city voters, particularly in Mumbai, however the momentum waned as the town’s demographics and political priorities advanced. His repeated makes an attempt to revive MNS’s base have yielded little success, and his political relevance has steadily declined.On this backdrop, Raj’s seen alignment with cousin Uddhav Thackeray although unofficial and sure short-term indicators a strategic recalibration. Whereas this affiliation might not assure an electoral revival, it positions Raj again into the political dialog, notably because the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) elections draw nearer.
The cousins’ joint look could also be a trial balloon reasonably than a proper alliance. Nonetheless, when it comes to political optics, it sends a robust message — particularly at a time when Uddhav has been visibly warming as much as BJP chief and CM Devendra Fadnavis. This has fuelled hypothesis a couple of attainable re-entry into the NDA fold, probably displacing Shinde from the management equation.On the different aspect, Eknath Shinde, as soon as a loyalist of Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena, has leveraged his grassroots credentials and anti-dynastic pitch to climb the political ladder. Nonetheless, Shinde’s place within the NDA has additionally weakened after Ajit Pawar joined the alliance, successfully diluting his bargaining energy. Whereas he continues to carry numbers within the meeting and Lok Sabha, the notion that he’s not indispensable is rising.The upcoming BMC election will function an important barometer. A weak efficiency by Shinde’s faction may result in a reshuffling throughout the NDA, the place Uddhav’s re-entry may not be dominated out. Concurrently, Raj’s seen alignment with Uddhav might not assure a revival however may not less than reposition him as a political participant — and pave the best way for his son Amit’s re-launch.In the end, whether or not the Thackeray cousins’ reunion is simply an act of political theatre or the start of a critical strategic comeback stays to be seen. What is evident is that Maharashtra’s political equations are in flux, with legacy politics being examined by new energy centres and shifting voter allegiances.The BMC election may simply resolve whether or not this household reunion turns into a brand new chapter or a short photo-op within the twilight of their affect.