Maharashtra Politics: The recent presence of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at the wedding reception of Shounak Patankar, the cousin of Rashmi Thackeray (wife of Uddhav Thackeray), has fueled speculation about a possible reconciliation between the estranged cousins of Thackeray revived.
The reception, held at Taj Lands End in Bandra West on Sunday, attracted several prominent figures, further fueling rumors of a political alliance.
Increasing chatter over Thackerays' political pact
There is increasing discussion within both the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) over the possibility of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray putting aside their differences to forge a poll ahead of the upcoming state-wide civic elections, including that for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC ). .
Grassroots workers from both parties have expressed a strong desire for reconciliation, especially after their disappointing performance in the recent state assembly elections.
Many believe a reunion between the Thackerays could consolidate Marathi votes, which are considered crucial for success in the civic polls.
Raj Thackeray accepts Olive Branch?
People in the know indicate that Raj Thackeray's presence at the wedding is seen as an acceptance of an olive branch extended by Uddhav.
Raj Thackeray was seen interacting with Rashmi Thackeray and her mother at Shounak Patankar's wedding reception, an HT report confirms. However, Aaditya Thackeray did not meet Raj Thackeray as he had left for lunch before Raj's arrival.
Sridhar Patankar, Shounak's father, confirmed to Hindustan Times that Raj had been invited to bless his son.
He said, “Please don't read too much about Rajsaheb's visit. It came from love and family ties.” He further noted that though Raj and Uddhav arrived at different times and did not cross paths, many family members managed to meet both leaders.
Shounak Patankar married Eshana Raut, the daughter of Neeta and Subodh Raut. The Patankar family, who used to live in Dombivli, recently moved to Bandra East, bringing them closer to Matoshree, the official residence of the Thackeray family.
This proximity could further facilitate interactions between the Thackeray families and potentially influence future political dynamics in Maharashtra.
Implication for Maharashtra politics
The potential for a reconciliation between Thackeray's estranged cousins - Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav and MNS Chief Raj – could have significant implications for Maharashtra's political landscape. With both parties facing challenges in mobilizing support, a united front could boost their electoral prospects in future elections.