Pune: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has refused to comment on the reported reconciliation between Shiv Sena (UBT) president
Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray.
“I have no interest in being ‘begani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana’. These are two parties, two brothers — it’s up to them to decide their course of action. Once they make their decision, we will respond,” Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai.
“Until then, let the media fly its kite of speculation. Why should I react to it? One thing I can see clearly: while we don’t know how much real conversation is happening between them, there is certainly a lot of chatter in the media. So for now, I won’t be giving any reaction,” he added.
Raj Thackeray left the undivided Shiv Sena and floated the MNS in 2006.
With civic polls in Maharashtra drawing close, news of the patch-up is of interest. It is believed that the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS combine will be an effective opponent against the Shiv Sena (Shinde)-BJP alliance.
No wonder, Uddhav’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners are all for Raj Thackeray’s MNS joining their ranks.
“I welcome the decision. They are a family and part of Balasaheb’s huge legacy… If that legacy continues with them coming together, it will be a happy moment for us,” said Supriya Sule, MP from the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SCP).
“The more partners come, the better it will be for Maha Vikas Aghadi. We will work together for Maharashtra. The strength will increase,” she added.
Uddhav did not deny reports of a possible reunion. “Whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen,” he said, adding that there is “no confusion” among party workers over the matter and teased that he will soon share good news.
Congress’ Maharashtra unit chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said MNS would be welcomed into the MVA fold, but conditions apply.
“If Raj Thackeray works against the BJP to protect democracy and the Constitution, then it can be thought about. If someone takes the role of being committed to protecting democracy and Constitution, then there can be a consideration to take him in the alliance,” he said.
However, Amit Thackeray, son of Raj Thackeray and a rising face in MNS, said that alliances do not happen by making statements before the media and the two leaders need to speak one-on-one to bury the hatchet for good.
“Alliances do not happen while talking in the media. They have each other’s mobile numbers, they can talk to each other,” he said.
