Udhav-Raj Bonomi: Thackeray’s cousin before BMC Poll-inside the political reset or strategic return? , Bharat News

New Delhi: Thackeray cousins – Uddhav and Raj – is a desperate step to survive in a political masterstroke or changing Maharashtra landscape? Both Uddhav and Raj, who once enjoyed the great political clout when the brand Thackeray was at his peak in state politics, is struggling to be relevant in a fast -fed political place today.While Uddhav, who lost the name of the original party and the symbol of Eknath Shinde, has been marginalized after his party’s drunk in the final assembly elections, Raj Thackeray has failed to fly despite showing a lot of promises when he started under Balasaheb in the last two decades. In the final assembly elections, Raj could not ensure victory for his son Amit Thackeray, who contested from Mahim Constitution and lost to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Mahesh Sawant.In a symbolic gesture, which adds fuel to speculation, Raj Thackeray visited Uddhav Thackeray in his residence, Matoshree on Sunday, to wish his birthday on Sunday. The journey took place a few weeks after the cousin shared the stage at the ‘Awaz Maratha’ rally, indicating what many people consider for the introduction of a temporary political coordination.Also read – Hugs and Rosees: Raj Thackeray entered Matoshree after 13 years to congratulate Uddhav on his birthdayThere is probably BMC election for this new-Found Bonomi among cousins. The Shiv Sena has ruled the BMC for more than two decades, which has been continuously emerging as the largest party since 2002. In the 2002 elections, the army won 97 seats and maintained power with the support of the BJP. Although its tally increased to 84 in 2007, it managed to catch the civic body. The results of 2012 saw another dip in 75 seats, but the party still topped the top, again with the support of the BJP. Even in 2017, despite a terrible competition and BJP, the Army’s difference with 82 seats closed the difference with 84 seats, the Shiv Sena kept its grip on the country’s richest municipal corporation.However, the ground realities have changed. The BJP is now a very strong force in Maharashtra and is under the control of Shiv Sena Shinde. Therefore, the upcoming election will be a litmus test for cooling to be relevant in Mumbai politics.For Uddhav Thackeray, bets may not be too much. After losing the original Shiv Sena for the rebellion of Eknath Shinde in 2022 and after rebranding under the Shiv Sena (UBT) banner, Uddhav has struggled to keep land in his stronghold, Mumbai as well. His shifting coalition-BJP-led NDA received low returns in both the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections to the Congress-NCP front. Now, by expanding an olive branch for his cousin, he expects to add enough support to be at least electorally, if not victorious.His group’s poor performance in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and a weak ground level network has pushed him into a corner. Outreach is being seen as a strategic for Raj Thackeray, if not desperate, Thackeray proceeds to consolidate heritage remains.Uddhav’s troubles started with Shinde with an engineer political coup, who moved with more than 40 methods, formed with the BJP and eventually became the Chief Minister. In this episode, Uddhav costs not only the CM Post but also the party’s symbol and loyal cadre. Since then, Shinde has further reduced the political base of Uddhav with depiction of a humble, working class leader as well as anti-humor credentials.Once unwanted force in Mumbai, Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) has struggled in recent elections, lost both political speed and ground -level cadre support. His renovation with Raj is now seen as a strategic, even as desperate, proceed to consolidate the remains of the Thackeray brand in Maharashtra.Once as seen as an ideological successor to Balasaheb Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navneman Sena (MNS) chief, who broke into 2005 after Uddhav’s favor in 2005, broke the Shiv Sena in 2005, remained on political fringe for more than a decade. His party failed to build at his early pace, and even his son Amit Thackeray’s attempted election failed.Despite the efforts to be relevant – Amit’s start and with a possible alliance with the BJP – Raj has struggled to recreate the influence of MNS. A proposed tie-up with the BJP came out before the last assembly elections, underlining the party’s weak leg.Now, Raj is doubled on the aggression of Balasaheb-style. Her recent rhetoric, which includes provocative lines like “Doba Doba’s Mavege” and warns against the imposition of Hindi, is seen with the aim of ruling Marathi pride. He has openly defended MNS workers accused of violence against non-Marathi speakers, who revive the politics of polarization identity that once defined Mumbai in the 1990s. However, the changing social and linguistic fabrics of the city have diluted the impact of such hardcore positions.Initially, Raj’s firebrand oratory and Marathi-politics echoed strongly with urban voters, especially in Mumbai, but the city’s demographics and political priorities developed pace. His frequent efforts to revive the Aadhaar of MNS have led to little success, and their political relevance has steadily declined.In this background, visual alignment with Raj’s cousin Udhav Thackeray however indicates informal and potential temporary a strategic reconstruction. Although this association cannot guarantee an election revival, it holds Raj Raj back into political conversation, especially close to Brihanm Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

The joint appearance of a cousin may be a test balloon rather than a formal alliance. Nevertheless, in the context of political optics, it sends a powerful message – especially at a time when Uddhav has visually heated BJP leader and CM Devendra Fadnavis. It has speculated about a possible re -entry into the NDA fold, possibly displacing Shinde from the leadership equation.On the other hand, Eknath Shinde, once a loyalty of Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena, has taken advantage of his grassroots credibility and anti -dynastic pitch to climb the political ladder. However, Shinde’s position in the NDA has also become weak even after Ajit Pawar joined the alliance, effectively reduced his bargaining power. While he continues numbers in the assembly and Lok Sabha, the notion that he is no longer unavoidable.The upcoming BMC election will serve as an important barometer. A weak performance by Shinde’s faction may cause a reshuffle within the NDA, where the re-entry of Uddhav cannot be dismissed. At the same time, Raj’s visual alignment with Uddhava cannot guarantee a revival, but at least reproduce him as a political player-and can pave the way for his son Amit’s re-launch.Finally, whether the Thackeray cousin’s reunion is just a function of a political theater or to see the beginning of a serious strategic return. It is clear that Maharashtra’s political equations are in flow, in which heritage politics has been tested by new power centers and transferred voter loyalty.The BMC election can only decide whether this family reunion becomes a new chapter or a brief photo-up in the twilight of their influence.