Mumbai:- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande has stirred fresh debate around a possible political reunion between Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray by sharing a 2017 video of Raj warning of rising communal tensions. The clip, originally recorded during unrest in Sambhajinagar and Malwani, has resurfaced amid growing chatter of a Thackeray brothers’ alliance ahead of key local body elections.
Deshpande, a trusted aide of Raj Thackeray, posted the video with the caption “Nothing to hide…” while holding a copy of Narkaatla Swarg, a book authored by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. The timing of the post appears to be a pointed reminder of past political betrayals and unresolved tensions within the Thackeray legacy.
In a recent interview, Deshpande recalled an unsuccessful 2017 effort to forge an MNS–UBT alliance. According to him, senior MNS leaders including Balasaheb Nandgaonkar and Santosh Dhuri had delivered a message from Raj Thackeray to Uddhav at Matoshree, but received no response. “We burned our tongues back then,” Deshpande said. “We’ll breathe fire now if the same silence is repeated.”
He asserted that any new alliance attempt must begin with a clear and formal proposal. “Goodwill gestures won’t cut it anymore,” he added, emphasizing that all decisions will rest solely with Raj Thackeray.
Responding to the remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut reiterated that any possible tie-up would depend entirely on Raj Thackeray’s position—and must exclude elements that work against Maharashtra’s interests.
As political temperatures rise in the lead-up to municipal polls, Deshpande’s strategic resurfacing of the 2017 speech underscores that despite public interest in a Thackeray brothers’ reunion, deep-rooted grievances may still stand in the way—unless both sides choose action over nostalgia.
