Bloodlines and battlelines: How Thackeray cousins came full circle
Raj had split with Uddhav in 2005, exiting Shiv Sena to create his own outfit, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), centred around Marathi politics. While the Shiv Sena, under Bal Thackeray, had the same political brand, Raj's supporters alleged that the party had strayed from its path since Uddhav Thackeray took over as working President.
So what made the two formerly warring cousins reunite after such a long time? Here is the timeline of the Raj Thackeray- Uddhav Thackeray saga.
The Raj Thackeray- Uddhav Thackeray saga: A timeline
Raj Thackeray entered politics in the late 1980s as the head of the Shiv Sena students wing, Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), in 1988. He was seen as the heir to his uncle Bal Thackeray.
Bal Thackeray's son, Uddhav Thackeray, entered politics in the latter half of the 1990s. Initially seen as a reluctant politician, he played a significant role in the party's win in the 2002 civics polls, shunning his backroom operator image. Around the same time, a power tussle began between Raj and Uddhav.
Uddhav was appointed the Shiv Sena working President in January 2003 amid Bal Thackeray's trying to broker peace between the two cousins. His 'Mee Mumbaikar' campaign, aimed at attracting the non-Marathi population towards Shiv Sena, further dented his relationship with Raj, who bashed the north-Indian students arriving in Mumbai to take railway recruitment exams. The campaign was scuttled and Uddhav had to quietly wrap it up.
The feud intensified during the 2004 assembly elections as Raj Thackeray supporters complained about not getting party tickets. It came to a head in 2005 when Raj finally decided to quit Shiv Sena and launched MNS the next year.
MNS hurt the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the 2009 assembly polls, taking away a large chunk of their votes. This saw the Congress-NCP storm back to power. But in 2012, the Shiv Sena retained power in the BMC with the help of the BJP.
Raj Thackeray campaigned against the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, though he couldn't stop them from winning the majority of seats in Maharashtra. But soon, the alliance split, and Uddhav Thackeray became the chief minister with the help of NCP and Congress, forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Raj again started inching towards the BJP when it happened.
The Shiv Sena split into two factions in 2022, with party veteran Eknath Shinde snatching away the party name, symbol as well as the CM post from Uddhav. Raj publicly expressed his unhappiness over Shinde taking over Shiv Sena.
Uddhav became the face of the MVA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, while Raj backed the BJP. The MVA took the majority of Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) didn't take him into the alliance in the assembly polls later that year. MNS couldn't win a single seat, while the Shiv Sena UBT-led alliance was also drubbed.
Raj, in an April 2025 podcast with actor Mahesh Manjrekar, said that he was willing to reconcile with his cousin. The statement was welcomed by Uddhav, who echoed the same sentiment.
The two cousins announced a joint rally on June 27 over the Maharashtra government's order to make Hindi mandatory in state schools. That turned into a victory rally as the government withdrew the order, which happened on Saturday, as both leaders hinted at an alliance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
9 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Involved in terror, violence and extortion, terrorist Happy Passia to be extradited from US
Law enforcement authorities in the US have acknowledged the requests of the Indian Government regarding the extradition of notorious gangster and terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia to India. Confirming this, senior Punjab Police officers said Monday that Happy Passia's anticipated extradition is seen as a diplomatic victory and a sign of India's strengthened counter-terror collaboration with the United States. 'If extradited, Harpreet Singh will be interrogated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Punjab Police. Our focus will be on uncovering the international network of terror funding, recruitment, and logistics, with particular attention to his links with overseas Khalistani cells and handlers within Pakistan's ISI,' a senior officer said. Another senior Punjab Police officer said the extradition of Passia will present a rare opportunity to expose the technical infrastructure, tradecraft, and digital tools used by terrorist groups to radicalise vulnerable Indian youth and orchestrate attacks on Indian soil from abroad. 'Harpreet's detention and potential extradition are being viewed as a major setback to the ecosystem of overseas-based terrorism that has long targeted India. Terror groups like BKI have leveraged diasporic enclaves and digital platforms to spread anti-India propaganda, raise funds, and plan attacks,' he said. Sources say Passia's interrogation may help Punjab Police to identify recruitment patterns and digital radicalisation tactics, map out funding channels and cross-border collaborators, and neutralise sleeper cells and logistics hubs across North America, Europe, and India. 'This development could also serve as a deterrent for foreign-based operatives who have, until now, exploited safe havens in the West to foment unrest in India. Moreover, it reinforces India's message that those who sponsor or execute terror against the nation, no matter where they hide, will be brought to justice,' another officer said. Who is Happy Passia? Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, a resident of the Passia village in the Ramdas area of Amritsar district, has emerged as a significant figure in a cross-border terror network orchestrated under the umbrella of the proscribed outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with direct support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Initially associated with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, Passia's criminal trajectory escalated sharply over the years, eventually tying him to radical elements and designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Under the direction and backing of Pakistan's ISI, officers say Passia and Rinda orchestrated a sustained campaign of terror and extortion across Punjab, Maharashtra, and other states. They added that acting as instruments of ISI's broader agenda to foment unrest and destabilise internal security, their activities targeted police establishments, retired and serving police officers, liquor contractors, businessmen, and socio-religious leaders — intended to create fear and disrupt communal harmony. From Punjab and Dubai to UK and US Happy Passia left for Dubai in 2018, where he became involved in illegal liquor smuggling, and forged connections with criminal cartels and Pakistan-based individuals. He returned to India in 2019, and soon after moved to the United Kingdom on a student visa. There, he came into contact with pro-Khalistani radicals. In 2021, he subsequently entered the United States illegally via the 'donkey route' and took residence with known members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, including Darman Kahlon, who is involved in narco-arms smuggling, and Amrit Bal who is linked to extortion and targeted killings in India between 2020 and 2023. By 2023, Passia had fully aligned himself with Harwinder Singh Rinda, coordinating terror activities under BKI's command. In August 2023, the Internal Security Wing of the Punjab Police uncovered a plan of target killings orchestrated by Rinda and Passia. The Punjab Police have said they have foiled many terror plans masterminded by the Rinda-Passia terror network, arresting several of their local operatives. Key crimes and associates In the following months, Passia shifted his focus toward targeting businessmen, Hindu leaders, and serving or retired police personnel in Punjab. His operations were facilitated by foreign-based associates operating from the US, Armenia, Germany, the UK, and Europe. Key associates include Shehzad Bhatti, Zeeshan Akhtar, a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member wanted in the Baba Siddique murder case, UK-based Nishan Singh, Armenia-based Shamsher alias Honey, Germany-based Swaran Singh, also known as Jeevan Fauji, Europe-based Gopi Nawashehria, and US-based Gurdev Jaisal, among others. In January 2024, Happy Passia, along with Rinda, facilitated the killing of Hardeep Singh from Dera Baba Nanak. The Punjab Police arrested the shooters and recovered the weapon used in the crime. In April 2024, Sandeep Bedi alias Shera was killed by associates of Passia. Investigations later revealed the involvement of an Indian Army deserter, Jeevan Fauji, who subsequently fled to Germany and is now coordinating the activities of the Rinda–Passia terror network from abroad. From September 2024 onwards, there was a marked shift in his strategy as his focus turned almost exclusively to Punjab Police establishments. Between late 2024 and early 2025, under his coordination, 16 terror incidents took place, including grenade attacks, an IED planting, and an RPG strike. His name surfaced either through direct claim of responsibility or through evidence of facilitating his network. The Punjab Police traced all cases and arrested perpetrators and facilitators involved in the grenade blasts. His name also figures in the National Investigation Agency (NIA)'s chargesheet filed in March 2024 in connection with the Chandigarh grenade attack, wherein Rinda and Harpreet were accused of funding, arming, and directing the operatives involved in that attack. The case was initially solved by the Punjab Police before being transferred to NIA for further investigation. In February 2025, Happy Passia and Harvinder Singh Rinda were identified as the masterminds behind the Nanded (Maharashtra) shooting that left one dead and another injured. The Punjab Police have arrested six people in connection with the case including key shooters. Punjab Police officers say Happy Passia functioned as a direct asset of Pakistan's ISI, executing tasks under the direction of Harwinder Singh Rinda to advance its destabilisation agenda in India. Comprehensive dossier As a result of sustained efforts by the Punjab Police, over 1,500 individuals linked to Happy Passia were scrutinised, leading to more than 70 arrests. The Punjab Police busted more than 35 terror modules linked to the Rinda–Passia network involved in targeted killings, grenade attacks on police establishments, and extortion activities. The Internal Security Wing of the Punjab Police maintained a comprehensive dossier on Happy Passia, and regularly shared intelligence with Central agencies. This was coupled with continuous technical surveillance and ground-level human intelligence, ensuring he remained consistently flagged across national security systems. In addition, detailed intelligence regarding his operational activities, including digital footprints, communication patterns, and associations with foreign-based individuals, whether direct or through intermediaries, was routinely relayed to central agencies. 'This seamless exchange of intelligence played a critical role in maintaining national-level situational awareness and supporting the broader counter-terror framework,' a police officer said.
Mint
16 minutes ago
- Mint
‘Pakistan spy' Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on govt invitation, reveals RTI; state tourism min reacts
Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old vlogger from Haryana recently arrested on charges of espionage for Pakistan, had earlier visited Kerala on an official invitation from the state government, said an RTI (Right to Information) reply that has now surfaced. Malhotra was part of a tourism promotion campaign organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, which funded a group of social media influencers to enhance the state's digital visibility as a travel destination, ANI reported. The RTI response confirms that Malhotra's travel, stay, and itinerary expenses were fully covered by the department during her visit, according to a report by ANI. As per official records, Jyoti Malhotra toured Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar between 2024 and 2025 under the government's influencer collaboration initiative. Her participation was listed alongside several other digital creators active between January 2024 and May 2025. Investigations have since revealed that Malhotra had travelled to Pakistan multiple times and had established contacts with officials from Pakistani intelligence agencies, including personnel from the Pakistan High Commission. One such official was later expelled by India after their association came to light, ANI reported. Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas on Sunday said that the Left government in the state and its ministers would never "knowingly" invite spies here and provide them with all facilities. Riyas remarked in response to reporters' queries regarding BJP leader K Surendran's allegation that social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested in May on suspicion of spying for Pakistan, was invited to Kerala to promote tourism in the state. Surendran, in a post on social media platform 'X', also referred to an RTI reply confirming such an invitation to Malhotra and questioned why 'a Pak-linked spy's trip' was sponsored by Kerala Tourism. One of her earlier viral clips shows her dressed in a traditional Kerala sari while attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur, highlighting her role in cultural and tourism-focused content creation. Malhotra is among 12 individuals arrested in a coordinated crackdown across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, targeting a suspected spy network accused of using Indian social media influencers to gather intelligence. The Left government in the state and its ministers would never 'knowingly' invite spies here. Her YouTube channel, Travel with Jo, features 487 videos, including travel content from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Key Takeaways Government initiatives can unintentionally invite scrutiny when involving individuals with controversial backgrounds. The importance of thorough vetting in influencer collaborations for public campaigns. Understanding the implications of social media influencers in national security contexts.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hindi row: Why Uddhav Sena has distanced itself from Stalin's hardline stance - BMC in focus?
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin with Uddhav Thackeary (File photo) NEW DELHI: Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray's rare show of unity in Mumbai over the victory against "Hindi imposition" gave fresh vigour to Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin , who hailed it as part of a "generational battle for linguistic rights" and extended support to fight Hindi dominance unitedly. However, Stalin's fiery endorsement was quickly doused by the Uddhav Sena, which chose to distance itself from the DMK's radical stand on the Hindi language. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut drew a clear line between Maharashtra's opposition to the Centre's language policy and Tamil Nadu's more hardline stance soon after Stalin urged for unity. Raut said that while Tamil Nadu rejects Hindi entirely, Maharashtra's protest is specifically against the "imposition of Hindi" as a third language in primary schools, and not the language itself. "Our fight is not against Hindi, but against forcing it in schools," the Thackeray loyalist told reporters in Mumbai. Despite being part of the opposition INDIA bloc and rooting its politics in regional identity, why has the Uddhav Sena distanced itself from Tamil Nadu's DMK? The Uddhav Sena's cautious approach appears driven by electoral dynamics and demographic compulsions that could impact Thackeray's poll prospects -- particularly in the long-pending Mumbai civic elections. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Поза во сне может многое рассказать о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo Polls over pride? With local body elections likely later this year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun early moves to consolidate North Indian voters, especially in Mumbai, where the battle for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to intensify. The BJP is keen to dislodge the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) from India's richest civic body. The BJP sees an opportunity to tap into a voter base that still remembers the attacks on North Indians in Mumbai at the hands of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) years ago -- incidents that continue to shape political perceptions. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, while reiterating pride in the Marathi language, also slammed those opposing Hindi, asserting that it is 'also an Indian language.' His remarks come amid the language controversy sparked by the now-rolled-back policy on Hindi being made a compulsory third language in Maharashtra schools. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region, comprising 11 municipal corporations, has a substantial Hindi-speaking population from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. It is also home to a strong and influential Gujarati voter base, especially in Mumbai and Thane. Meanwhile, in Solapur, BJP minister Girish Mahajan stoked internal rumblings within the opposition camp, claiming that many MLAs and MPs from Uddhav's Sena (UBT) were in touch with him and lacked confidence in Thackeray's leadership. 'The results of the upcoming zilla parishad, panchayat samiti, and municipal elections will show how much public trust each leader holds,' Mahajan said. No Hindi vs Marathi, says Thackeray Jr. Sensing unease among voters in Mumbai ahead of the BMC polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray , who happens to be Uddhav Thackeray's son, dismissed the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, saying there is no "Hindi vs Marathi in Maharashtra". Speaking a day after the state government rolled back its contentious three-language policy, Aaditya said: "This controversy exists only on biased media or social media. There is no Hindi vs Marathi in Maharashtra. The real concern was the burden of three languages on standard 1 students. Why should the third language be Hindi?"
