Mumbai: Amid growing speculation of a potential
political reunion between estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj
Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stated on Sunday that “emotional
talks” are ongoing between the two leaders.
“There is no official alliance yet. They are brothers, and
they meet at family functions. Talks are emotional at the moment,” Raut said,
adding that no political conditions had been set so far.
The buzz began after Raj Thackeray, in a podcast
interview with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, said he was open to working
with Uddhav Thackeray for the larger interest of Maharashtra and Marathi
people. Uddhav responded positively but with a condition that Raj must
not associate with anti-Maharashtra elements.
Raut also took a swipe at the BJP, calling it the
“enemy of Maharashtra,” blaming the party for splitting the original Shiv
Sena.
Meanwhile, MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande said
people may be reading too much into the developments. He emphasized that Shiv
Sena (UBT) must support MNS on Marathi issues for any unity to work.
Deshpande also demanded an apology from Uddhav Thackeray for allowing cases
against 17,000 MNS workers during his tenure as CM.
The reunion speculation has gained momentum since the
cousins publicly hinted at reconciliation after two decades of separation,
though a formal alliance is yet to be declared.