Raj Thackeray tells MNS workers to end internal disputes, cites reunion with cousin Uddhav

Raj Thackeray and Uddhav, who had been politically estranged for over 20 years, recently shared a stage in a rare show of unity. File Pic

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has called on his party workers to stop internal disputes and focus on rebuilding the party, reported the PTI.

Speaking at a meeting in Mumbai on Monday, MNS chief asked party workers to follow his example of reconciliation with his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

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Raj and Uddhav, who had been politically estranged for over 20 years, recently shared a stage in a rare show of unity. The event marked the Maharashtra government's decision to withdraw two controversial orders related to the three-language policy for primary school students.

An MNS member present at the gathering said Raj Thackeray stressed unity and asked party workers to reconnect with those who had become inactive, according to the PTI.

He also encouraged MNS members to focus on strengthening the organisation ahead of upcoming local body elections.

"If I and Uddhav can come together after two decades, then surely party workers can put aside their differences," Raj Thackeray reportedly told the crowd, as per the PTI.

Lat month, Raj Thackeray had visited Uddhav Thackeray's residence to extend birthday wishes on his 65th birthday.

Raj travelled from his Dadar residence, Shivteerth, to Matoshree, Uddhav's home in Bandra.

Uddhav, accompanied by party MP Sanjay Raut, welcomed Raj at the entrance of the bungalow, a well-known political landmark in Mumbai.

Raj presented a large bouquet of red roses to his cousin.

At his joint rally with Raj in Mumbai on July 5, Uddhav Thackeray had said he and the MNS chief have come together to stay together

At the "victory" rally, held to celebrate the rollback of the Hindi language GRs (resolutions) by the BJP-led government, the cousins shared a political stage for the first time in almost two decades, on the issue of Marathi identity and "imposition" of the Hindi language.

Earlier on July 5, at the Marathi Vijay Diwas programme held at NSCI Dome in Worli, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray delivered a sharp and emotionally charged speech, emphasising Marathi unity and sending a powerful political message alongside his cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

(with PTI inputs)