Will Thackeray Brothers Pass the Acid Test of Political Unity?

Mumbai, July 5 (NationPress) After a gap of 20 years, estranged siblings Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have come together on the politically charged topics of Marathi identity, language, and the Marathi Manoos, calling for enduring unity for the future. Their recent handshake signals not just a shared opposition to the imposition of Hindi alongside Marathi and English from grade one, but also a collective intent to contest the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation elections, aiming to thwart the BJP-led MahaYuti.

During their joint rally, the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two brothers were palpable, with the BJP emerging as their common adversary.

Yet, both Uddhav, leader of Shiv Sena-UBT, and Raj, founder of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), face a critical challenge in collaborating effectively to remain politically relevant against the formidable BJP.

They must navigate a myriad of issues including personal pride, leadership dynamics, seat sharing, and power distribution before officially forming an alliance ahead of the pivotal BMC elections.

Both leaders understand that relying solely on the Marathi Manoos vote will not guarantee success, especially as the BJP has made significant inroads into this demographic and has solidified its hold on non-Marathi votes, including communities from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar residing in Mumbai.

The Thackeray brothers need to extend their outreach to non-Marathi speakers without resorting to violence, instead focusing on special engagement initiatives. They must present a development agenda that empowers the Marathi Manoos as a respected participant in progress.

The BJP, for its part, will surely leave no stone unturned to win over both Marathi and non-Marathi voters, promoting their vision of “Vikas” (development) as a means to gain support in the BMC.

While the Thackeray brothers have emphasized that the unity of Marathi people during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement compelled the government to retract its decision on Hindi imposition, they have urged their supporters to remain vigilant against BJP's attempts to destabilize Maharashtra’s integrity.

Protecting the interests of the Marathi Manoos remains paramount, as both Thackerays view their union as a strategic move to counter BJP's efforts to engineer division among the populace, including along caste lines.

“Everyone present here has put aside party divisions for the sake of Marathi unity. We have bridged the gap between us, and we will stand united,” declared Uddhav Thackeray.

“Mumbai is our rightful claim, and we have fought for it. We must challenge BJP's 'one nation, one election' agenda. While we agree on being Hindus and supporting Hindutva, we will not allow Hindi to dominate. We made Marathi compulsory; that was essential,” he added.

On the other hand, Raj Thackeray critiqued the BJP, stating that their push for Hindi stems from a desire for power.

“If you (BJP-led MahaYuti) possess power, it lies within the Vidhan Bhavan. Our power will be demonstrated on the streets,” he asserted, reiterating that the imposition of Hindi would not be tolerated.

“They merely tested the waters. Let’s see if they can separate Mumbai; if Maharashtra remains steady, they can attempt it later. If they have the courage, they should confront Maharashtra and Mumbai together,” Raj Thackeray proclaimed.

In the coming days, the Thackeray brothers must devise a clear strategy to sustain their unity, assuring their supporters that they will not compromise on the issues of the Marathi language and safeguarding Maharashtra's interests.

For Uddhav Thackeray, it is crucial to ensure a transparent, corruption-free administration of the BMC while addressing BJP’s recurring accusations of past mismanagement by his party.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has downplayed the reunion of the Thackeray brothers, directing criticism at Uddhav while sparing Raj. This indicates a potential outreach to Raj for a renewed alliance within the MahaYuti. Uddhav remains under the BJP's scrutiny.

“Everyone has witnessed how we have transformed Mumbai under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. During Uddhav Thackeray's tenure, the Marathi populace of Mumbai faced challenges. They envy our success in providing housing to Marathi individuals at BDD Chawl, Abhyudaya Nagar, and Patra Chawl. Whether Marathi or non-Marathi, all are with us. We take pride in our identity as Marathi and Hindutva supporters,” asserted Fadnavis.

In summary, the Thackeray brothers must embark on a new journey to validate their joint leadership and reclaim dominance in Mumbai. For the BJP-led MahaYuti, it represents an opportunity to maintain their momentum following a commendable performance in the assembly elections.

The BJP will leverage all strategies to highlight the rifts between the Thackerays, particularly Uddhav's eagerness for power. The challenge now lies with the Thackeray brothers to showcase their political prowess.

(Sanjay Jog can be reached at sanjay.j @ians.in)