Reunion or reunification?
The estranged cousins, who had not shared a dais for nearly two decades, came together to address a joint 'victory rally' in Mumbai. They celebrated the government's rollback of two orders making Hindi the third language in primary schools in Maharashtra. The government's revocation is being perceived as a victory for the 'Marathi manoos'.
However, the big question remains: will the two cousins reunite on the political front as brand Thackeray at a time when regional parties feel threatened by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)? And if they do, what will that mean for the politics of Maharashtra, especially for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena?
Mr. Uddhav Thackeray's party continues to face an exodus after the split of the Shiv Sena in 2022. The former Chief Minister has publicly expressed his desire for a political reunification with his cousin. However, Mr. Raj Thackeray has maintained a stoic silence and has asked his party leadership to resist from expressing their opinions on the matter. The suspense, ahead of the crucial Mumbai municipal corporation elections, continues.
In April, the Maharashtra government introduced a three-language policy in primary education; it issued another order in June. These were largely perceived as an attempt to impose Hindi on the State. What began as an agitation against this policy has turned into a window of opportunity for the reunification of the Thackeray cousins.
Mr. Uddhav Thackeray and Mr. Raj Thackeray's parties had publicly split 19 years ago. The two leaders have since led separate regional parties. When they came together at the joint victory rally at Mumbai's NSCI Dome on July 5, cadre from both parties watched with excitement. For them, it seemed like a step towards a long-cherished dream of seeing the cousins together again. Their hopes went up further when Mr. Uddhav Thackeray, amid loud cheers, said, 'We have come together to stay together.' This led to speculation that the two parties will come together for the local body elections.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), which is struggling to keep its flock together, is anxious that fence-sitters may ditch it before the municipal elections. The Sena has traditionally controlled Mumbai's civic body, which is the richest corporation in the country. The diminished strength of the Shiv Sena (UBT) after Mr. Shinde's exit, the changed demography of the island city, and continuing exodus from the party are some of Mr. Uddhav Thackeray's key concerns.
Mr. Raj Thackeray has his own set of woes. He has been leading a regional party with limited electoral gains so far. As he frequently changes his political stance, the public perceives him as unpredictable, which has not helped his cause.
Mr. Shinde's party is hoping that the cousins will not patch up. Mr. Shinde has kept the communication window with Mr. Raj Thackeray open to the extent that his party cadre do not attack the MNS even as they relentlessly target Mr. Uddhav Thackeray.
The BJP is aware that Mr. Shinde will suffer a body blow if the Thackeray cousins come together. Leaders of both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS claim that the move could be a game-changer and could impact the BJP negatively as well.
So far, Mr. Raj Thackeray and Mr. Uddhav Thackeray have been fighting separately on Hindutva-related issues and Marathi pride. Amid the BJP's Hindutva appeal, the Thackeray cousins have stood for regional chauvinism. 'We are Hindus, not Hindis,' Raj Thackeray said, as a pitch against the 'Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan' plank of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He has warned against national integration through homogenisation and has batted for a separate cultural and linguistic identity for Maharashtra.
At the same time, Mr. Raj Thackeray has categorically stated that he came together with his cousin only for the cause of Marathi. MNS leaders say the show of strength is limited only to that issue, and that Mr. Raj Thackeray has not yet made up his mind on whether it should translate into something more. Political pundits say that if the cousins reunite and assert their political capital, they will both stand to gain.
vinaya.deshpande@thehindu.co.in
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