As Maharashtra Watched, One Thackeray Broke Away While The Other Chose to Stay and Steer the Sena Through Stormy Watters
New Delhi: In what was a defining moment for Maharashtra PoliticsThe winter of 2005 Witnessed a rift that split not just a party but a powerful political family. As Raj thackeray Formally Announced His Resignation from Shiv Sena – The party once helmed by his uncle and political idol bal thekerey – It Sent Shockwaves through the State’s Political Landscape.
According to a Toi article, At a packed press conference help at Shivaji Park Gymkhana – Barely metres from the very ground where Balasaheb founded the Sena in 1966 – Raj Laid Bare His disappointment. Choked With Emotion, He Told Reporters that all he ever asked for from ‘matoshree’ was respect. “All I Got in Return was humiliation,” He said, visible hurt. “I wouldn’t wish a day like this even on my worst enemy.”
Outside the venue, a massive crowd of supporters, drums in hand, gathered to show solidarity. Some compared it to a political raly, others to a family rebellion. Raj Addressed Them From The Terrace, Promising to Take Balasaheb’s Dream of a Progressive Maharashtra Forward through a new party. He Clarified He Wasn’T Looking to Split the Sena, even thought many mps, kils, and corporators had extended their support to him supported their support
Raj’s Public Break with the party followed months of inner churn, going back to the early 2000s when muurmurs of a succession tussle first emerged. It was, in fact, way back in January 2002 that newspaper first broke the story of a grewing cold war between the causins. While Bal Thackeray Had Anointed Uddhav as Executive President, Raj – then a Popular Youth Leader – Felt Increasingly sidelined.
A Little Over a month after stepping down from key party roles, raj made it official: He was walking away. The decision followed another jolt to the Sena – the exit of former CM Narayan Rane Earlier that year, also over the over differences with uddhav.
‘Sena will survive’: uddhav’s measured response to raj’s exit
A couple of hours after raj’s explosive presser, Uddhav thackeray Finally broke his Silence from Matoshree. Flanked by close aide and rajya sabha mp sanjay raut, the younger thekerey struruck a balance between disappointment and resolve.
“Raj’s exit saddens me, not just politically but personally,” uddhav said, choosing his words carefully. “But the shiv sena is not dependent on one person. The work we’ve begun – from Form Fighting for Farmers to address the power crisis – will continue.”
Uddhav revised that the Sena Leadership had Hoped for a Truce After Revolt on November 27, Especially Following a December 15 Meeting Between Raj and Bal Thackeray. “We had hoped things out be resolved, but raj remained unmoved,” he added, impleing that the door to reconciliation had been kept open till the very end.
As raj’s supporters celebrated in Shivaji Park, Matoshree MainTailed a Studied Calm. A Handful of Loyal Shiv Sainiks Had Gathered, but there was no drums, no slogans – Only Silent Solidarity.
When asked if raj’s new outfit would split the marathi and Hindu Vote, Uddhav dismissed the concern. “The People of Maharashtra Know Who Truly Stands for Balasaheb’s ideals,” He said. “That celebrating Raj’s Resignation was not shiv sainiks.”
Balasaheb Thackeray, notably, chose not to address the pressure. INTEAD, He Watched His Nephew’s Announcement on Television, Leaving Uddhav to take charge of the narrative – posesibly a subtle passing of the baton in more ways than one.
Fast forward twenty years and the winds may finally be shifting
In April 2025, Just Months Ahead of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Elections, Uddhav Theckere Dropped A Political BombShell – Expressing Readness to Align with Raj Thackere ‘Maharash Taskray’ Sena.
“I am ready to come togeether. I am ready to move forward in the interest of Maharashtra,” Uddhav said at a press conference, hinting at a dramaatic thaw in ties.
The statement comes as mNS struggles to stay electorally relevant, and Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) Looks to Reclaim Lost Ground Against The BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Factation. Raj, for his part, have often said that his fight with uddhav was never personal – only political.
What began in 2005 as one of Maharashtra’s most bitter political splits May, in 2025, Morph INTO An unlikely Reunion. Whether this truce translates into a formal alliance or remonse a symbolic overture remain to be seen – but for the Thackeray Cousins, The Script May No Longer Be Stuck in the Past.
