Uddhav Thackeray Spoke To Rahul Gandhi About Possibility Of Alliance With Raj’s MNS: Sources

Last Updated:August 08, 2025, 16:05 IST

“The topic of Raj Thackeray was brought up. Uddhav Thackeray wanted Rahul Gandhi to understand the political pulse on ground,” said a senior leader

Uddhav Thackeray had meetings with Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule; (right) Uddhav with Raj Thackeray. (PTI File)

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s recent Delhi visit may turn out to be politically significant, not just for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, but for Maharashtra’s rapidly changing political landscape.

Sources have revealed that during a one-on-one meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on August 7, Uddhav raised the possibility of an understanding with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by his cousin, Raj Thackeray.

The closed-door conversation between Uddhav and Rahul Gandhi lasted for nearly 30 minutes. While alliance strategies were the broader agenda, sources indicate that Uddhav specifically discussed the potential implications — and benefits — of a possible alliance or understanding with MNS in certain pockets of Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai and Thane.

“The topic of Raj Thackeray was brought up. Uddhav Thackeray wanted Rahul Gandhi to understand the political pulse on ground. The idea isn’t formal, but it’s clearly under consideration," said a senior leader familiar with the meeting.

This development comes amid growing speculation about a thaw between the Thackeray cousins. In a recent interview published in Saamana, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s mouthpiece, Uddhav hinted at being open to reuniting with Raj, saying that both brothers coming together would fulfill Maharashtra’s dream. “If someone has a problem with that, it’s their stomach ache to deal with," he had said candidly.

However, the question remains — how would such a move affect the dynamics of the MVA (Mahavikas Aghadi)? Uddhav seemed unfazed. “Mumbai cannot be politically separated from Maharashtra. Every party has its own space in local bodies. We will make decisions based on what’s politically appropriate for each region," he said.

The meeting with Gandhi was followed by another high-level discussion that included Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, indicating that alliance math is under active review at the top level.

While there is no official word on whether the Congress or NCP is ready to accommodate the MNS within the broader opposition fold, Uddhav’s willingness to talk about it with key INDIA bloc partners shows that serious political recalibration could be underway — one where family ties and strategic realities may finally meet.

Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa...Read More

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa...

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August 08, 2025, 16:04 IST

News india Uddhav Thackeray Spoke To Rahul Gandhi About Possibility Of Alliance With Raj’s MNS: Sources

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