Despite the optics, Thackeray cousins won't unite politically

The upcoming polls are very important for the BJP and there is no way it will allow the opposition to unite against it ahead of the BMC elections

- ROHIT CHANDAVARKAR

Much is being talked in the regional and national media about the current bonhomie seen between the estranged Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj. They were seen putting up media optics of unity on the issue of the imposition of the Hindi language as a compulsory subject to be introduced in schools of Maharashtra. Now, the BJP-led Mahayuti government has decided to withdraw the Government Resolution, or the GR, issued on the compulsion of Hindi, and this is being interpreted as some kind of victory for the Thackeray cousins, who had announced a rally on the issue.

But the point being talked about is whether the cousins will come together politically since some groundwork has been done in terms of a joint rally to be held by both against the state government. The protest rally has been called off, but the Thackeray cousins are all set to put up a grand show to celebrate their so-called victory at the Worli dome in central Mumbai, where they are going to hold a "joint celebration" over the Maharashtra government's decision to withdraw the G. It is likely to be a grand event which will be covered extensively by the national media and will remain the biggest news in Maharashtra for a couple of days. The optics created here will be talked about by analysts and experts because the estranged Thackeray cousins will be seen sharing the stage after 20 long years. This will also give rise to speculations about whether the most talked-about family in Maharashtra's politics is set to unite and join forces in the upcoming polls in the state.