Mumbai | Correspondent
While Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray strongly hinted at a political alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) during the recent “Marathi Vijay Melava,” MNS president Raj Thackeray appears to have adopted a far more cautious approach.
In a significant development, Raj Thackeray has reportedly instructed his party leaders and workers not to make any public statements regarding a potential alliance without his prior approval. This move indicates his guarded stance despite the growing buzz around unity between the two factions of the Thackeray family.
During the rally, a stark contrast was evident in the speeches delivered by the two cousins. While Uddhav Thackeray emphasized unity and said, “We have come together and will stay together. Those who tried to use and discard us will now be thrown away by us,” Raj Thackeray refrained from political rhetoric and instead focused solely on Marathi identity issues. He reiterated that the event was not politically motivated, stating, “No party flag, only Marathi as the agenda.”
The rally saw a rare moment of camaraderie as members of the Thackeray family shared the stage. The two leaders even embraced publicly, fueling speculation about an imminent alliance.
However, Raj Thackeray's cautious directives to his party officials following the event have introduced uncertainty. He held a closed-door meeting with senior MNS leaders, directing them to seek his permission before commenting on the possibility of an alliance.
The mixed signals have sparked confusion in political circles. Was the “Marathi Vijay Melava” a symbolic show of unity, or the first step toward a formal political alliance between Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) and MNS? For now, the answer remains unclear.
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