Eschew ego for Maha: Thackeray cousins kindle reunion hopes

Long estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have rekindled hopes for a reunion with both indicating a readiness to eschew their egos for the larger interest of Maharashtra and “Marathi manoos”.

The development comes at a time when Uddhav has taken a position against the alleged imposition of Hindi language in Maharashtra in line with the Centre’s three-language formula under the National Education Policy. The formula mandates learning of at least two native Indian languages and a third one of choice and leaves it to the state governments to decide the matrix.

“Past differences are trivial and uniting for the larger cause of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos is not a difficult thing to do,” Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray today said, adding that while he was willing to give up ego and work for the state, the question was if Uddhav was willing too.

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav also on Saturday made friendly overtures towards Raj without naming him and said he was willing to condone past fights provided those working against Maharashtra’s interests are not entertained.

Uddhav’s reference was to Raj hosting Shiv Sena chief and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde at his residence.

Meanwhile, Raj, speaking with actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar in a podcast on Saturday, said he had no issues working with Uddhav when they were in the undivided Shiv Sena. “The question is, does Uddhav want to work with me?” asked Raj. He added that for a larger cause, small fights should be ignored.

“Maharashtra is very big. For Maharashtra, the existence of Marathi manoos, these fights are very trivial. But the issue is of desire. It is not the question of my desire or selfishness. We need to look at the larger picture. All Maharashtrians should form one party,” Raj added as the Thackerays appeared to toe the regional line which DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has been articulating in the south by opposing Hindi.

These signs of recalibration in the Thackeray camp could well be rooted in realpolitik with Uddhav and Raj both facing an erosion of support base in Maharashtra.

Raj, the nephew of late Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, had resigned from the party in January 2006 and charted a separate course forming the MNS.

After an early splash (MNS won 13 seats in the 2009 Maharashtra polls), the party went downhill. Today it has no MLAs.

In the last Assembly polls, the Shiv Sena (UBT) plummeted to 20 seats in a 288-member Assembly — its lowest score ever.

The MNS failed to open its account and Raj’s son Amit lost his maiden contest.

India