Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday reunited with his estranged cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) president, Uddhav Thackeray, and took a jibe at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying he managed to do what even his uncle and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray “could not do”.
“Chief Minister Fadnavis managed to do what Balasaheb Thackeray could not – bring me and Uddhav together,” Raj Thackeray said at a “mega victory gathering” in Mumbai to celebrate the Maharashtra government’s rollback of the three-language policy in primary schools.
महाराष्ट्राने मनात जपलेला सुवर्णक्षण…! pic.twitter.com/kugbSPx0JU
— ShivSena – शिवसेना Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) July 5, 2025
Raj Thackeray last shared a stage with Uddhav in 2005. He then quit the Shiv Sena in the same year and formed the MNS in 2006.
“You may have power in the Vidhan Bhawan, we have power on the roads,” he said while addressing thousands of MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in Marathi. “Maharashtra government rolled back decision on three-language formula due to strong unity shown by Marathi people,” Raj Thackeray said.
“Try to touch Maharashtra and see what happens,” he further warned.
The Mr Fadnavis-led government issued an order on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools.
After a backlash, the government made Hindi an optional language on June 17.
Raj Thackeray said the decision on the three-language formula was a “precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra”.
“Will Stay Together”: Uddhav Thackeray On Reunion With Cousin Raj
Speaking about the reunion with Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray said they “have come together and will stay together”.
“One thing is clear, we have removed the distance between us,” he said.
He also said that everyone was “eagerly waiting” for their speeches since they announced the event.
“But in my view, we are both coming together, and this stage was more important than our speeches. Raj has already given a very outstanding speech, and I think there is no need for me to speak now,” he said.
The Sena (UBT) chief also said he “won’t let the government impose Hindi on them”.
