Thackeray Brothers Reunite After Two Decades, Rally for Marathi Pride Amid Political Speculation
In a major political development in Maharashtra, estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are set to share the stage after two decades at a joint rally in Mumbai’s Worli on Saturday (July 5). The reunion, centered around the cause of Marathi language pride, has sparked intense speculation about a possible political realignment ahead of key civic elections in the state.
The catalyst for this unexpected rapprochement was their united opposition to the Mahayuti government’s controversial three-language formula, which would have mandated students to learn Marathi, Hindi, and English. The pushback from both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) forced the ruling coalition to put the proposal on hold.
To celebrate what is being hailed as a “victory for Marathi unity,” the Thackerays will address a large rally at 10 a.m. at the NSCI Dome in Worli. The event is expected to attract thousands, including prominent figures from Marathi literary, cultural, and educational circles. Writers, poets, editors, and artists are among those invited to the rally, which promises to be both a show of cultural strength and political significance.
The venue, which can accommodate 7,000 to 8,000 people, will feature LED screens inside and outside to ensure visibility for the anticipated overflow crowd. Additional screens along nearby roads will allow even those outside the main venue to follow the event.
While the rally marks a rare show of unity between the cousins who parted ways in 2006 after a split in the original Shiv Sena, the absence of other senior opposition figures has raised eyebrows. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Harshavardhan Sapkal were invited by the MNS, but both are expected to skip the rally. MNS sources said they were unable to contact Sapkal, while Pawar, though in Mumbai on the day, is reportedly not attending.
The ruling BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena have dismissed the event as political theater. BJP MP Narayan Rane alleged that the rally has less to do with Marathi pride and more to do with the Thackeray cousins’ struggle to stay politically relevant—especially with the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls approaching.
Echoing a similar tone, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Ramdas Kadam criticized the Uddhav-led BMC, accusing it of driving Marathi-speaking people out of Mumbai during its decades-long rule.
Despite the criticism, MNS leader Prakash Mahajan expressed hope that the event would be a symbol of growing unity among Marathi-speaking people and possibly a first step toward long-term cooperation between the cousins.
As both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray navigate turbulent political waters, their public reunion could reshape the dynamics of Maharashtra politics. While it is too early to predict whether this signals a lasting alliance, the Worli rally may turn out to be more than a cultural celebration—it could be the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s political narrative.
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