Scribe’s question on Raj Thackeray, Uddhav patch-up buzz irks Dy CM Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde got irked when a mediaperson sought his reaction on the speculation of reconciliation between estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, and asked the reporter to instead talk about government’s work.

While Shinde was at his native Dare village in Satara district on Saturday, a reporter from TV Marathi asked for his reaction on the buzz of rapprochement between Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav and Maharashtra Navnirnam Sena (MNS) president Raj.

Shinde got irritated and brushed off the reporter’s boom.

“Talk about work,” said the Shiv Sena leader, who is not known to get irked in public.

The buzz about rapprochement started after Raj said in a podcast interview with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar—recorded weeks ago but released on Saturday—that he had no issues when working with Uddhav in the undivided Shiv Sena. The question, he added, was whether Uddhav now wanted to work with him.

Uddhav and Raj sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore “trivial issues” and join hands nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways.

While the MNS chief said uniting in the interests of “Marathi manoos” was “not difficult,” former CM Uddhav said he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided that those working against Maharashtra’s interests were not entertained. Uddhav’s assertion has been seen as a veiled reference to the MNS chief for recently hosting Deputy CM Shinde at his residence.

Without directly naming Raj, Uddhav said nothing should be done to help “thieves”, an apparent reference to the BJP and Shinde-led Sena.

Uddhav received a major setback in 2022 when Shinde split the Shiv Sena and toppled his government. Shinde then formed a government with the BJP’s support.

In the last year’s polls to the 288-member state Assembly, the Sena (UBT) won only 20 seats out of the 95 it contested as part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Raj, nephew of late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, quit the party in January 2006, blaming Uddhav for his decision. He then launched the MNS which initially took a strident anti-North Indian stand. But after winning 13 seats in the 2009 Assembly elections, the MNS was pushed to the margins. It drew a blank in the 2024 Assembly polls.

India