Thackeray cousins Uddhav & Raj join hands for Mumbai civic polls

The long-standing political divide between the Thackeray cousins has finally come to an end as Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray announced a formal alliance for the upcoming local body elections in Mumbai. In a joint press conference held on Wednesday, the duo declared that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will fight together in the January 15 polls. This move is seen as a strategic attempt to reclaim the "Marathi identity" as the central theme of regional politics in India's financial capital.

Raj Thackeray, the chief of MNS, thundered that the next Mayor of Mumbai will undoubtedly be from their alliance, ensuring that a Marathi face leads the city. He emphasized that the reunion was necessary to protect the interests of the local Marathi population. Uddhav Thackeray, seated alongside his cousin, echoed this confidence, stating that Mumbai would remain under their control regardless of any external political challenges from the national capital.

Uddhav Thackeray took a direct jab at the BJP's "Batenge toh Katenge" slogan, offering his own Marathi twist: "Chukal tar Sampal" (if you falter now, you will be finished). He warned that those dreaming of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra would be politically eliminated. The two leaders vowed to reunite out of a sense of duty to their state and the legacy of Bal Thackeray, who originally championed the cause of Marathi identity.