'Whatever Maharashtra wishes': Uddhav Thackeray on possible Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance

NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday left it to the people of Maharashtra to "decide" whether his party should form an alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray."Whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen," Thackeray told reporters in Mumbai, according to news agency PTI."There is no confusion in the minds of the workers of both the parties about this (alliance)," he added.The former Maharashtra chief minister's remark comes amid talks of a possible union between the Sena (UBT) and the MNS. Raj Thackeray formed the MNS in March 2006 after leaving the Shiv Sena.Also Read | 'I've put an end to all fights': Uddhav says open to joining hands with Raj ThackerayIn June 2022, the Sena itself was split into two factions, one each led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. The Election Commission recognises the Shinde side as the "real" Shiv Sena.Devendra Fadnavis, Congress reactReacting to Uddhav Thackeray's statement, Maharashtra chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said that only the Thackeray cousins can decide whether their parties should forge an alliance or not and that he himself had nothing to do with it."It is for Raj Thackeray to react to Uddhav Thackeray's comments that what people want will happen. How am I connected to it? They will decide whether to have an alliance or not," Fadnavis told reporters in Gadchiroli.

On the other hand, the Congress, a Sena (UBT) ally, welcomed Uddhav Thackeray's remark."There has been a talk from both Sena (UBT) and MNS that they will join hands to protect Maharashtra's interests and keep the communal BJP away. If the they are coming together for this, we will welcome the move," Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe stated.