MUMBAI: Raj Thackeray, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), visited his cousin Uddhav Thackeray’s home, Matoshree, in Bandra for a “family lunch” on Saturday. Joined by his mother, sister, and wife, Raj gifted Uddhav a Tulsi plant and a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, signaling warmth between the two.

“It’s a family meeting. My mother is with me,” Raj told reporters as he entered Matoshree. However, this meeting marks the sixth interaction between the Thackeray cousins in recent months, pointing to a growing closeness that is both personal and political.

The renewed bond between Raj and Uddhav first became visible in July when they shared a stage at a rally opposing the “imposition of Hindi”—their first public appearance together in nearly 20 years. Since then, their families have exchanged visits on special occasions. Raj visited Uddhav on his birthday in July, and Uddhav returned the gesture during Ganpati celebrations at Raj’s Shivteerth residence in Dadar in August.

Behind the scenes, sources say the two parties are discussing a possible seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. MNS is believed to be seeking 90 to 95 seats in Mumbai. A formal alliance could significantly impact the political landscape by consolidating Marathi votes in Mumbai, Thane, and other key areas.

With the BMC being India’s richest civic body, a combined Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS front could pose a serious challenge to the ruling Mahayuti coalition led by the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s faction. What began as family visits may now be setting the stage for a political realignment that could reshape Maharashtra politics.

Raj Thackeray separated from Shiv Sena in 2005 and founded MNS in 2006. The split was primarily driven by his differences with Uddhav Thackeray over leadership within the party.