"There is no alliance as of now, only emotional talks are going on": Shiv Sena (UBT) Sanjay Raut on possible Raj-Uddhav reunion

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File Pic

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday addressed the potential reconciliation between the estranged cousins, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, clarifying that while emotional conversations have occurred, no formal alliance has been established yet.

Raut further stated that the relationship between the two brothers had not been broken, reported ANI.

"There is no alliance (between MNS and Shiv Sena -UBT) as of now, only emotional talks are going on. Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are brothers. We have been together for years. Our relationship has not broken. Both brothers will decide (about the alliance). We have accepted what Uddhav Ji said: for Maharashtra, if we (MNS and Shiv Sena -UBT) need to come together, we will," Raut stated, reported ANI.

The parties claiming to be well-wishers of Maharashtra were its enemies, and broke the Shiv Sena to attack the state's pride. He added that no relations should be maintained with such parties, Raut added.

"Uddhav Ji said that there are a few parties who claim to be well-wishers of Maharashtra, but they are the enemy of Maharashtra. They broke Balasaheb's Shiv Sena to attack the pride of Maharashtra, and with such parties, we shouldn't have any relations, and then only we can be true Maharashtrians, and this is not a condition but the feelings of the people of Maharashtra, and this is what Udhhav ji has said." the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP further added, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the possibility of a reunion between the two cousins and called it a 'good' step.

Fadnavis said, "If the two come together, we will be happy about it. If people settle their differences, it is a good thing. What else can I say about it," reported ANI.

Fadnavis was responding to Raj Thackeray's recent statement, where the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief expressed willingness to reunite with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav by forgetting past differences.

Uddhav also responded positively, saying that he was ready to put aside disputes for the sake of the Marathi language and Maharashtra.

Addressing a function of his party's trade union wing, Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, in Mumbai, Uddhav said, "What I want to say is I also appeal to all Marathi people to come together for the benefit of Maharashtra and Marathi," reported ANI.

Uddhav added that during the Lok Sabha elections, his party had raised the issue of industries moving from Maharashtra to Gujarat.

"If you (Raj Thackeray) had opposed this at that time, the government currently in power at the Centre would not have existed. We would have formed a government that thinks about the welfare of Maharashtra both at the Centre and in the state," Uddhav said, reported ANI.

Uddhav stated that if Raj Thackeray had opposed the issue at that time, a government in the centre today would not have been in power.

(With ANI inputs)