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Uddhav Thackeray framed the alliance through a warning borrowed from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “batenge toh katenge” refrain
Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. (PTI Photo)
Estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray reunited in Mumbai on Wednesday, announcing that they will fight the upcoming local body elections in Mumbai together. The move, which comes 20 years after a miffed Raj Thackeray charted a separate course to launch his own outfit after differences with his cousin, is set to put the battle for Marathi identity right at the centre of the political discourse in the country’s financial capital.
With both families in attendance, UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray said the duo was on stage “as Thackeray brothers”. “Our grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray was the one who led the fight for Maharashtra. After we got Mumbai in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena Pramukh formed the party. It will be 60 years since the formation of the Shiv Sena.”
The former chief minister also accused some people of trying to “destroy Mumbai”. “If we keep fighting, it will be an insult to Hutatma. No one can ever take Mumbai away from Marathi Manus. BJP then said ‘Batenge toh Katenge’. Now, I am calling the Marathi Manus—If they falter now, then they will be divided.”
Uddhav Thackeray framed the alliance through a warning borrowed from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “batenge toh katenge” refrain, signalling that division and disunity would come at a heavy political cost.
His brother echoed the sentiment. “Maharashtra is bigger than any misunderstanding or fight. That’s where we have begun. We are not here to convey who will fight how many seats.”
Clarifying that the alliance would be for Nashik too, Raj Thackeray said: “We will announce for other corporations after our meeting today”, but emphasised that “Mumbai’s mayor will be a Maharashtrian and it will be from our party”.
The cousins also called upon those unhappy in the Shinde Sena-BJP coalition to join their pact. “Those who can’t bear to see what is happening in BJP can also come with us,” said Uddhav, training guns on his former ally.
December 24, 2025, 13:34 IST
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