Reconciliation between two brothers was again seen in Maharashtra politics on Friday. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray publicly shared the stage at the Deepotsav function organized by MNS at Shivaji Park in Dadar. The entire Thackeray family was present in this program. It started with Uddhav Thackeray reaching Raj Thackeray’s residence ‘Shivtirtha’, after which both of them reached Shivaji Park together and inaugurated the Diwali themed function.
This Marathi dominated area has been the stronghold of undivided Shiv Sena. This reunion of the two brothers is being seen as a show of strength. Political analyst Uddhav and Raj Thackeray The reason behind this ‘Bharat Milap’ is considered to be the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, where the unity of Marathi votes is important. Founded on the principle of ‘Marathi Manush’, Shiv Sena has historically maintained its influence over Asia’s richest civic body – BMC since 1997. But now Shiv Sena has divided. The old Shiv Sena is with Eknath Shinde, while Uddhav has had to form his new party.
The split in Shiv Sena has also led to division among its traditional voters. At the same time, when Raj Thackeray left the party and formed MNS in 2006, there was a division among Marathi voters. For Shiv Sena (UBT), a formal alliance with MNS is considered crucial for its political survival against BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Analysis of past elections shows that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), even though its overall vote share is low, wields considerable influence in Marathi-dominated wards.
MNS can make a decisive difference in about 90 wards. This may be important in BMC elections. The public display of unity by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray gives a strong indication that the two cousins are moving towards a political alliance. Its aim is to retain BMC’s hold on power by uniting Marathi voters and reclaim the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. However, it will depend on whom the traditional voters of undivided Shiv Sena side with, the Uddhav-led party or Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
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