'Alliances are not formed through media sound bites': MNS leader Amit Thackeray on the possibility of an alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT)

Amid mounting speculation over a possible alliance between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, MNS leader and Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray Thursday took a veiled dig at Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and other leaders who have been making statements hinting at a rapprochement.

- GNS News Agency, June 11

"Alliances aren't formed through media sound bites or newspaper headlines. Direct dialogue is necessary," Amit Thackeray said, speaking to reporters in Mumbai. Referring to the frequent commentary from Sena (UBT) leaders, he said, “Every morning, someone gets up and says something about the alliance. But who are they trying to fool? If there is to be an alliance, the two brothers, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, need to talk. They have each other's phone numbers.”Talking about attempts for the formation of an alliance in recent years, Amit Thackeray claimed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was Raj Thackeray who had taken the first step by calling Uddhav Thackeray, the then chief minister of Maharashtra. “This time, there's just talk in the media, but no real effort,” he added. When asked whether he personally supports the alliance, Amit Thackeray replied, “Whatever Raj Thackeray wants is what I want.”