Raj and Uddhav Hold Their Sixth Meeting in Just Three Months

by Webdesk
12 Oct 2025

Mumbai: MNS chief Raj Thackeray paid a visit to his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s residence on Sunday for a family lunch. This marked their sixth meeting in the past three months and the second within just a week, fueling speculation about a potential alliance ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Political observers are closely watching their interactions, interpreting the repeated meetings as a possible signal of collaboration between the cousins.

The two are scheduled to meet again on Monday for a joint public event addressing alleged corruption in the Thane Municipal Corporation. Thane holds strategic importance as it is considered the stronghold of deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who led the split in Shiv Sena in 2022, creating the current factional division within the party. Analysts suggest that the cousins’ coordination in Thane could be an early indication of efforts to challenge Shinde’s influence in the region.

Raj Thackeray was accompanied by his mother, wife, and children during the visit. Speaking briefly to the media, he was careful to downplay any political angle, stating, “What BMC elections? My mother is with me. You should understand,” signaling that the gathering was primarily personal in nature rather than a political meeting.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also sought to play down the significance of the encounter. State revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule remarked, “During Diwali, it is a tradition for families to meet. Nothing political should be read into it,” emphasizing that such visits are part of customary family interactions during the festival season and not necessarily connected to electoral strategies.

The cousins, who were estranged for nearly two decades, have recently been in the public eye due to their repeated engagements. Their first reunion in the past three months occurred on July 5, when they jointly attended a rally opposing the imposition of Hindi in the state, a move seen as a symbolic gesture against central interference in regional linguistic policies. Subsequently, Raj visited Uddhav at Matoshree on July 27 to greet him on his birthday in Ranchi.

On August 27, Uddhav returned the courtesy by visiting Raj’s residence during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. The sequence of interactions continued with another meeting on September 10, when Uddhav visited the MNS chief’s home along with MP Sanjay Raut. Most recently, on October 6, the cousins met at a family function of Sanjay Raut at BKC, further reinforcing the pattern of frequent personal engagements.

While the regularity of these meetings has inevitably sparked political speculation, it remains unclear how such a potential alliance would fit into the larger Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) framework. MNS’s politically charged campaigns, which have often targeted north Indian migrants and the Muslim community, could be a point of contention if any collaboration with Congress is considered, given the latter’s diverse voter base. Political strategists suggest that even if a formal tie-up is forged, Raj Thackeray’s acceptance within the MVA may face hurdles due to ideological and demographic considerations.

Despite these complexities, the timing of the meetings and their increasing visibility have raised expectations among voters and party cadres alike. Many view the frequent interactions as an attempt to consolidate Marathi votes ahead of a fiercely contested BMC election, where Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, BJP, and Congress all seek to expand their influence in the civic body.

Moreover, the discussions between Raj and Uddhav appear to extend beyond mere electoral arithmetic. Both leaders have a shared interest in addressing regional identity issues, particularly those affecting the Marathi-speaking population, while simultaneously countering the influence of Shinde’s faction in key municipal areas. Analysts note that the cousins’ renewed closeness could also help stabilize the political narrative for their supporters, who have long awaited signs of reconciliation between the two prominent Thackeray-led parties.

In conclusion, Raj Thackeray’s Sunday visit to Matoshree adds another chapter to the evolving political dynamics in Maharashtra. While the meeting was ostensibly personal, its timing and frequency cannot be ignored in the context of the forthcoming BMC elections. With another joint event scheduled in Thane and the ongoing electoral preparations by all parties, the coming weeks will be closely watched to see whether these meetings translate into a formal alliance or remain symbolic gestures of family reconciliation and regional solidarity. The political landscape in Mumbai is poised for significant developments, and the Thackeray cousins are once again at the center of attention.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

Raj and Uddhav Hold Their Sixth Meeting in Just Three Months

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