If Raj and Uddhav Thackeray are reuniting, it should be welcomed: Supriya Sule

Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule on Saturday (April 19, 2025) said if estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray were coming together in the interest of Maharashtra, it should be “welcomed wholeheartedly.”

She was reacting to speculation about the possibility of reconciliation between the two cousins, sparked by recent statements of MNS chief Raj Thackeray in an interview and Mr. Uddhav’s response to it earlier in the day.

“Raj Thackeray said the dispute in Maharashtra was bigger than their dispute. That is happy news to me….If [late Shiv Sena founder] Bal Thackeray had been among us, he would have been very happy today,” Ms. Sule told reporters.

“If the two brothers are coming together for Maharashtra, we should welcome it wholeheartedly,” she added.

Thackerays spark rapprochement buzz

The estranged cousins sparked speculation on Saturday about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore “trivial issues” and join hands nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways.

While Mr. Raj said uniting in the interests of “Marathi manoos” was not difficult, Mr. Thackeray said he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided that those working against Maharashtra’s interests were not entertained.

Later in the day, speaking at a Sena (UBT) event, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray said, “I am also ready to put aside trivial issues and I appeal to everyone to come together for the sake of Marathi manoos.” Without naming Mr. Raj, he said had the latter opposed businesses from Maharashtra going to Gujarat, a government caring for the interests of Maharashtra would have been formed in Delhi and Maharashtra.