Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, two cousins who parted ways over a power tussle two decades ago, will share the stage today at a joint rally in Worli. Titled ‘Awaj Marathicha’ (Voice of Marathi), the victory rally marks a rare show of unity between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS. It comes in the wake of the Maharashtra government's decision, which triggered controversy, to make Hindi a mandatory third language in primary schools, a proposal that faced strong opposition from both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, as well as from civil society and intellectuals.

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The last time Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared a stage was during the 2005 Malvan Assembly bypoll campaign, held after former Chief Minister Narayan Rane exited the undivided Shiv Sena. That moment marked the final public appearance of the two cousins together before Raj Thackeray parted ways with the party later that year and went on to launch the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in 2006.

Facing mounting pressure ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly’s Monsoon Session, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revoked the government resolutions (GRs) that had introduced Hindi as a third language in primary schools. The first GR had mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language for students from Classes 1 to 5, while the second made it optional. In response to widespread opposition, the CM also announced the formation of a committee to reexamine the state’s three-language policy.

With elections to the high-stakes Mumbai civic body and several other municipal corporations approaching, the prospect of a thaw in relations between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray is being closely watched in Maharashtra’s political circles. Raj Thackeray, the nephew of late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, had parted ways with the undivided Shiv Sena in 2006, reportedly due to differences with Uddhav.

Recently, however, signs of reconciliation have emerged, hinting at a possible alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the upcoming civic polls. Yet, Raj Thackeray’s meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sparked speculation that the MNS might align with the BJP instead.

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A potential Thackeray reunion could significantly consolidate Marathi votes, especially by appealing to older voters nostalgic for the Bal Thackeray era. The BJP, meanwhile, views the MNS as a strategic force capable of splitting the Marathi-speaking vote—traditionally the Sena (UBT)’s stronghold. While Saturday’s joint rally is expected to showcase a united front on the issue of Marathi identity, whether this collaboration evolves into a formal alliance for the local body elections and beyond remains uncertain.

(With PTI Inputs)