In a dramatic political moment, estranged cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray reunited on a public stage after two decades, signaling a possible shift in Maharashtra’s power dynamics. The event, held to celebrate the rollback of the three-language policy in primary schools, was not just a cultural display of Marathi unity but also a strategic realignment ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. With raised fists and emotional declarations of togetherness, the cousins revived conversations about their political futures.
Thackeray Roots and the Bihar Link
The reunion has once again turned the spotlight on the Thackeray family’s ancestry, a subject often used in political mudslinging. In 2012, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh claimed that Thackeray’s ancestors migrated from Bihar, referencing Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s father Keshav Sitaram Thackeray’s autobiography, Mazhi Jeevangatha.
Keshav, also known as Prabodhankar Thackeray, had written about the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) community’s migration from Magadha (modern-day Bihar) during the reign of Mahapadma Nanda the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, in the 3rd or 4th century BC. He also mentioned that the family surname had changed from “Thakre” to “Thackeray,” inspired by British novelist William Makepeace Thackeray.
Keshav’s writings have been frequently quoted by many authors writing about the family. In his book Gramnyancha Sadyanta Itihas Arhat Nokarshahiche Bande also (A History of Village Disputes or Rebellion of the Bureaucracy) he wrote that the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) community, to which the Thackerays belong, migrated from ancient Magadha, in present-day Bihar
Uddhav refuted any direct family link to Bihar, stating the reference applied to the broader community, not specifically their lineage.
The Politics Behind the Reunion
The cousins’ reunion comes at a time when both leaders are struggling to remain politically relevant. The Shiv Sena has been fractured since the split between Uddhav’s faction and Eknath Shinde’s rebellion. The MNS, too, has suffered from dwindling support and electoral setbacks.
Critics argue the reunion is less about Marathi pride and more about electoral arithmetic ahead of the BMC elections. With the BJP gaining ground and the Congress appearing fractured, a united Thackeray front could appeal to Marathi voters.
Reunion after two decades
In what could mark a new chapter in Maharashtra politics, cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray appeared together at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Mumbai, in a rare show of unity. The massive public rally celebrated the Maharashtra government’s reversal of a contentious language policy, and the crowd cheered loudly when the cousins hugged and raised their fists together.
Raj, known for his sharp political wit, quipped that BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis had achieved what Bal Thackeray couldn’t by bringing the two together. “Today, after 20 years, Uddhav and I are coming together on one platform… something even Balasaheb couldn’t do,” Raj said, hinting at a growing dissatisfaction with the current political leadership in Maharashtra.
Uddhav echoed the sentiment, calling for unity in the name of Marathi identity: “We have come together to stay together. They will try to divide us, but we will fight them united.”
Why Did Raj and Uddhav Split?
Raj and Uddhav were once seen as two sides of the same political coin. Their fathers, Bal and Shrikant Thackeray, were brothers, and their mothers were also sisters. Raj was a visible and vocal presence during Shiv Sena events in the 1990s, while Uddhav managed party affairs from the background.
In 2003, Bal Thackeray appointed Uddhav as the working president of Shiv Sena, a move that left Raj and his supporters feeling sidelined. Raj’s frustrations culminated in his resignation in 2005. “All I asked for was respect. All I got was insult,” he said.
Three months later, Raj founded the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), positioning it as an aggressive pro-Marathi alternative to the Shiv Sena. Uddhav remained with Shiv Sena, eventually taking over the reins fully after Bal Thackeray’s death.
Tactical Truce or Lasting Alliance?
While the optics of unity between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray are strong, whether this alliance lasts remains uncertain. Political observers question whether the cousins can maintain cohesion after decades of rivalry and ideological divergence. For now, their message of unity in the name of Marathi pride has reignited interest in both parties. But as the BMC elections approach, the real test will be whether this truce translates into a sustainable political force or remains a one-time spectacle aimed at surviving the turbulent waters of Maharashtra politics.
