Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called the recent reunion of estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray “good for democracy” but emphasized that voters prioritize leaders who deliver results over those banking on family legacy. In a video interview with PTI, Shinde, who leads the ruling Shiv Sena faction, remarked that people recognize “work, not name,” taking a veiled dig at Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership style.

The Thackeray cousins, whose rivalry dates back to Raj’s dramatic exit from Shiv Sena in 2005 after being sidelined, shared a stage last month at a “victory rally” in Mumbai. The event celebrated the Maharashtra government’s rollback of a controversial three-language policy mandating Hindi in primary schools, a cause championed by Raj’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Shinde, who toppled Uddhav’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June 2022, noted the irony of their reconciliation. “Raj was expelled from Shiv Sena, and those who dismissed his influence are now joining hands,” he said, adding that electoral democracy allows such alliances but voters reward performance.

Shinde’s faction, recognized as the “real” Shiv Sena by the Election Commission, has solidified its dominance after the MVA’s drubbing in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) won only 20 of 100 contested seats in alliance with Congress and NCP (SP).

With the upcoming Mumbai municipal corporation elections looming, Shinde sees a chance to tighten his grip on the financial capital, framing it as an existential battle for Uddhav. “In my two-and-a-half years as chief minister, alongside Devendra Fadnavis, we’ve taken bold decisions for Mumbai and Maharashtra’s development,” Shinde asserted, highlighting infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and metro expansions.

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Responding to Uddhav’s repeated “gaddar” (traitor) jibe, Shinde accused him of betraying Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva ideals by aligning with Congress and NCP in 2019, despite a BJP-Shiv Sena mandate. “The people taught him a lesson in 2024,” Shinde said, pointing to the MVA’s electoral losses. He defended his rebellion, claiming it restored the Sena’s core values and delivered governance focused on public welfare.

The Thackeray reunion has sparked speculation about a potential MNS-Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance to counter Shinde’s faction in Mumbai’s civic polls, which control a ₹33,000-crore budget. Raj’s MNS, though diminished, retains influence in Marathi-speaking strongholds, while Uddhav aims to reclaim the Sena’s legacy. Political analysts suggest this move could challenge Shinde’s urban dominance, but his faction’s recent welfare schemes, like the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, bolster its voter base.

As Maharashtra’s political landscape heats up, Shinde remains confident that tangible achievements will outweigh dynastic appeal, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral showdown in Mumbai.

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