• Source:JND
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday welcomed the potential reconciliation between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Calling it a positive development, Fadnavis said the two leaders themselves were best placed to comment on the matter but added, “We are happy that the Thackeray brothers are coming together.”

His remarks came after Raj and Uddhav Thackeray publicly expressed willingness to move past their long-standing political differences in the interest of the state and its Marathi identity.

Raj and Uddhav, who split politically in 2005, have recently signalled a thaw in ties. In a podcast with actor Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj Thackeray said that their personal disputes were trivial compared to the broader issues facing Maharashtra and the Marathi community. “Maharashtra is far bigger than our personal issues… These matters are trivial in the fight for the existence of the Marathi identity,” said the MNS chief, who left Shiv Sena nearly two decades ago to form his own party.

Uddhav Thackeray echoed similar sentiments, stating that he wanted to end all meaningless quarrels for the greater good of Maharashtra. He urged all Marathi-speaking citizens to unite in safeguarding the state’s interests and identity.

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In a pointed political remark, Uddhav recalled how his party had highlighted the migration of industries from Maharashtra to Gujarat during the recent Lok Sabha elections. He suggested that if Raj Thackeray had opposed the issue at that time, the political outcome at the Centre might have been different.

He added that the unity of pro-Maharashtra forces could have helped form a state and central government more focused on regional welfare, including the repeal of anti-labour laws.

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The renewed camaraderie between the Thackeray cousins comes ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections expected in October. A united front between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS could significantly impact the political landscape in Mumbai and across Maharashtra.