In recent days, the identity of the Marathi people and the importance of the Marathi language have become major talking points across Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken an aggressive stance against the government's decision to make Hindi compulsory from Class I. The Shiv Sena UBT has also strongly opposed the move.
Amid the uproar, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has hinted at a possible collaboration with Uddhav Thackeray in the interest of Maharashtra. Uddhav has responded positively, fuelling speculation about a potential political reunion between the Thackeray cousins and the emergence of new equations in the state’s political landscape.
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However, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande showed a different angle in the alliance. “Coming together for Maharashtra does not mean coming together only for elections. Marathi can also come together for issues of interest to Maharashtra. Just like Tamil parties come together on the Cauvery issue in Tamil Nadu, what is the problem with Marathi parties coming together? Only elections are a narrow-minded idea,” Deshpande said.
He further added, "You fight for so many seats, I fight for so many, you fight for this seat, I fight for this seat, you get this post, I get this post, it will not work with such a limited thinking. If you think only about elections, it will be ideological poverty."
His comments raise the question: Will the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) unite politically, or will their collaboration remain issue-based, focusing solely on Marathi language and identity?
Meanwhile, in an interview with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar on Friday, Raj Thackeray spoke about reconciliation. “For the survival of Maharashtra and the Marathi people, our disputes and quarrels are trivial. It’s not about my own interests—one needs to see the bigger picture. I believe all Marathi leaders from all political parties should unite and form a single party. I never stab people in the back,” Raj stated.
Uddhav Thackeray responded positively, saying, “I, too, am ready to set aside petty disputes and am appealing for unity in the interest of Maharashtra and Marathi people. But I have one condition: I won’t welcome anyone who acts against Maharashtra’s interests. I won’t go to their doorstep or sit beside them unless they make a clear commitment to prioritise Maharashtra.” He concluded, “I have no personal conflict with anyone. Let’s resolve this.”