Mumbai: In an interesting development in fast changing political equations in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today rang up his estranged cousin MNS Chief Raj Thackeray. The sour relation between the two is no secret and therefore, this call has raised many eyebrows. The call becomes significant in wake of the break-up between Uddhav's party and BJP ahead of October 15 assembly elections.
Political observers are wondering if the two brothers are planning to join hands in the upcoming elections because after Sena-BJP divorce, October 15 assembly elections are being seen as a prestige issue for the Thackeray family.
Shiv Sena's 25- year – alliance crumbled down Thursday over seat sharing formula for upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls. CM post also became a point of contention between the two parties.
According to sources, Uddhav had called up his younger brother last week when his party and BJP were at loggerheads.
Shiv Sena leaders point out that "there was nothing political" in that call and that Uddhav enquired about Raj's health who was reportedly sick with malaria and had also collapsed at a public event in Aurangabad.
This was his first call to him and today he made a second after BJP and Sena had finally called off their alliance. Today Uddhav called Raj to inquiry about his health, as per sources close to the Sena Chief.
However, Shiv Sena leader Prem Shukla has said that nothing could be ruled out in politics. Shukla made this remark when he was asked about the possibility of the two brothers joining hands in upcoming assembly elections.
The cold war between the two brothers began when Bal Thackeray shunned Raj and selected Uddhav to handle the party's affairs. A deeply hurt, Raj who was seen as the political heir of Shiv Sena, separated himself from the family fold and launched his own party - Maharashtra Navnirman Sena( MNS).
