‘Talk about work’: Eknath Shinde dodges question on Uddhav-Raj Thackeray reunion buzz

Shinde’s unusually curt reaction came during a visit to Dare village in Satara district, when a reporter sought his comment on the possible thaw in ties between the leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Known for maintaining a calm public image, the Maharashtra Minister for Urban Development cut short the question, saying tersely in Marathi: “Talk about work.” (Express photo)

As speculation swirls over a potential reconciliation between estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appeared visibly irked when asked about the development—brushing aside the query and urging the media to focus on the government’s work instead.

Shinde’s unusually curt reaction came during a visit to Dare village in Satara district, when a reporter sought his comment on the possible thaw in ties between the leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Known for maintaining a calm public image, the Maharashtra Minister for Urban Development cut short the question, saying tersely in Marathi: “Talk about work.”

A video of the exchange, now circulating on social media, has added fuel to the ongoing political chatter. Reacting to it, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut took a swipe at both Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “Shinde will obviously be angry,” Raut said. “Fadnavis will not show his anger, but from within, there will be a churn in his stomach. We know how fake the BJP’s happiness is. They don’t want it (the alliance).”

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Earlier, Fadnavis had responded to reports of the possible alliance by saying the BJP would welcome such a move, but also cautioned against reading too much into the statements being made.

The chatter around a rapprochement between the Thackeray cousins comes ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, where political alliances and voter sentiments could significantly shift.

The buzz was triggered by Raj Thackeray’s recent podcast conversation with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, in which he said he had no issues working with cousin Uddhav Thackeray.

“The question is whether Uddhav wants to work with me,” he added. Days later, Uddhav responded during a speech to his trade union workers, expressing openness to reconciliation “for the sake of Marathi and Maharashtra.” However, he warned Raj against aligning with forces “anti-Maharashtra.”

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These reconciliatory signals have emerged amid backlash over the state’s decision to introduce Hindi as a mandatory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5. The move has drawn strong opposition from the Sena (UBT), MNS, and Congress.

The Thackeray cousins, who once helmed the state’s most aggressive regional parties, have had a rocky relationship since their split in the early 2000s—fuelled by personal rivalry and leadership tussles. Raj went on to form the MNS in 2006, initially adopting a hardline stance against North Indian migrants.

In the 2024 Assembly elections, Uddhav’s Sena (UBT) managed to win just 20 of the 95 seats it contested. The MNS failed to win any. The party’s decline began in 2009, after it secured 13 seats in its debut election but failed to sustain its momentum.

With PTI inputs

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