July 8th 2025.
The recent reunion of cousins Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and Uddhav Thackeray, president of the Shiv Sena, has caused quite a stir in the world of politics. After two decades of estrangement, the timing could not have been more opportune for the two to bury their differences and join forces to shake up the political landscape of Maharashtra. The BJP-Shiv Sena government's failed attempt to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools has given the cousins a chance to unite and use Maratha pride as a powerful weapon against the ruling party. Many see this as a direct response to the recent controversy in southern states over the imposition of Hindi by the central government.
This unexpected turn of events has brought the two cousins together in a time of crisis. Both the MNS and Shiv Sena have suffered setbacks in the past year, and the government's decision to backtrack on the three-language formula has given them a chance to regain their footing. The government's hasty retreat is seen as a sign of their failed attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states, and the scrapping of the order is seen as a result of their fear of alienating the Marathi population.
The impact of this newfound closeness between the cousins is already being felt in the political arena. It poses a direct challenge to the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, which Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has been claiming as his own. This could have serious consequences for the ruling alliance in the upcoming municipal elections. With the Thackeray cousins standing together, Shinde may find it difficult to maintain his standing among core Marathi voters, especially in urban areas like Mumbai. A united front of Marathi regionalists, backed by the two cousins, could prove to be a formidable opponent for Shinde.
While the Thackeray cousins have not officially announced their alliance, speculations about it gaining momentum in the lead up to the civic body polls are causing concern for Shinde. A poor showing in these elections could lead to a loss of influence for him and the government he is a part of. This is especially worrying for the BJP, which holds a dominant position in the state with a significant vote share. However, if the Thackeray cousins do join forces, they could pose a serious challenge to the BJP's dominance by consolidating the Marathi voter base. The upcoming civic body polls will be a test for all parties involved, and even a slight shift in voter support could have a major impact on the BJP's hold on power.
The Thackerays seem to have a well-planned strategy in place, with the civic polls being just the first step in their larger plan. With the Assembly elections still far away, they have enough time to consolidate their base and build on any gains they may achieve. While the Congress may have reservations about joining forces with Raj Thackeray, given his anti-minority stance, the success of their unity remains to be seen. As the political landscape of Maharashtra shifts, it is clear that the Thackeray cousins have emerged as a powerful force to be reckoned with.
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