Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday visited Bandra’s Matoshree after a gap of 13 years and wished Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on the latter’s 65th birthday, reported PTI.
Raj Thackeray drove from his residence Shivteerth in Dadar to Matoshree and presented a bouquet of red roses. Earlier, Raj entered the residence in 2012 at the time of Balasaheb Thackeray’s death.
Accompanied by MNS leaders Bala Nandgaonkar and Nitin Sardesai, Raj was received by Uddhav and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.
In the images and videos going viral on social media, both Raj and Uddhav could be seen inside Matoshree with Balasaheb’s frame in the background. Also, Raj handing a bouquet of flowers to his cousin on his birthday was also seen in another photo.
After the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) took to X and wrote, “Party chief Hon. Shri. Uddhavsaheb Thackeray was extended birthday greetings by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Hon. Rajsaheb Thackeray.”
Reunited in July:
Earlier in July, both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared a political stage in Mumbai Worli. This was the first time in two decades the estranged cousins shared a stage together. They united on the issue of Marathi identity and “imposition” of the Hindi language. In the gathering, Uddhav hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together with Raj Thackeray’s MNS.
“We have come together to stay together. We will together capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra,” Uddhav Thackeray had said, while evoking loud cheers from the crowd.
In 2005, Raj Thackeray quit the Shiv Sena citing the differences with Uddhav and formed his own party – the MNS. Raj had contested elections against Uddhav.