Signs of reconciliation between Thackeray cousins rattles Shinde-OxBig News Network

Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The recent signs of reconciliation between Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Raj Thackeray have sent ripples through Maharashtra’s political landscape, drawing cautious optimism from allies and opponents alike—except for one key leader: Shiv Sena President and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Mr. Shinde, who led a rebellion in 2022 to split the Shiv Sena and form a government with the BJP to become the Chief Minister, has been the primary beneficiary of the Thackeray cousins’ estrangement. 

Their newfound camaraderie, however, threatens to upend his carefully consolidated position. His visible irritation when questioned about their warming ties—uncharacteristic for the usually composed leader—betrays his unease.  

Typically unflappable and known for his steady rapport with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Shinde appeared uncharacteristically curt when pressed by reporters in Satara. “Talk about work,” he responded sharply in Marathi.

A potential alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS could significantly alter Maharashtra’s power dynamics. Mr. Raj Thackeray’s party, though not an electoral heavyweight, commands influence over Mumbai’s Marathi-speaking populace. Combined with Mr. Uddhav’s remaining Shiv Sena loyalists, the duo could erode Mr. Shinde’s support base, weakening his claim over the party’s legacy.  

Having staked his political future on the belief that the Shiv Sena’s internal war was settled in his favour, especially after the 2024 Assembly elections, Mr. Shinde now faces a resurgent Thackeray bloc. The BJP, his alliance partner, may also recalibrate its strategy if the Thackeray-MNS combine gains traction, leaving Mr. Shinde vulnerable.  

“Mr. Shinde is growing increasingly uneasy. While the possibility of a reconciliation between the Thackeray cousins remains speculative in Maharashtra’s ever-shifting political landscape, it has certainly unsettled Mr. Shinde, who is already visibly disgruntled with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over a series of administrative decisions,” political analyst Hemant Desai observed.

Mr. Desai added, “Party insiders have told me it was Union Home Minister Amit Shah who instructed Mr. Shinde to meet Raj Thackeray recently. The ruling MahaYuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—sees Raj Thackeray’s influence in Mumbai as crucial ahead of the high-stakes BMC elections.”

Following the Assembly elections, in which Mr. Uddhav Thackeray’s faction managed to secure only 20 seats, the former Chief Minister has shifted his entire focus to Mumbai. Apart from a visit to Nashik, he has refrained from touring other regions and is said to be holding a series of strategy meetings with local leaders. “Out of 84 former Shiv Sena corporators, more than 50 are now aligned with Mr. Shinde. Uddhav is determined to rebuild his party’s strength in Mumbai, the epicentre of Shiv Sena’s politics. He recognises the significant erosion of his influence in the city and is working hard to reclaim lost ground,” he said.

A senior Shiv Sena leader added that since his demotion from the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, Mr. Shinde has been trying to reassert his relevance in state politics. “The buzz about a possible Thackeray cousins’ reunion has only intensified his efforts. He is not comfortable with the development and is already at odds with BJP leaders on several issues,” the leader said.

While the cousins’ unity is still in early stages, its mere possibility has unsettled Maharashtra’s political calculus. For Mr. Shinde, the challenge is clear: counter this realignment or risk losing his hard-won dominance. The coming months will test whether this reconciliation is mere posturing or a genuine shift that could redefine the state’s power structure.