Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said whatever the people of Maharashtra wish will happen, comments coming amid speculation over the possibility of an alliance between his party and the MNS led by his cousin Raj.Talking to reporters, the former CM said there was no confusion in the minds of workers of both parties about an alliance. Speculation about the alliance has picked up pace ahead of civic body polls and the poor show by MNS and UBT Sena in the 2024 assembly elections. Uddhav, however, parried questions on whether there were any kind of tie-up talks taking place currently between his party and MNS, a party floated by Raj Thackeray in 2006.UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut suggested there may have been phone calls between the two cousins. He did not elaborate further.MNS spokesperson and Mumbai unit president Sandeep Deshpande said Sena (UBT) should first send a formal proposal to Raj Thackeray or at least make a phone call to break the ice. He cited instances of the 2014 assembly polls and 2017 Mumbai civic body elections when MNS had made an attempt to form an alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena. Asked about the developments, CM Devendra Fadnavis said there was nothing to react to the buzz about Uddhav and Raj reuniting politically. “It is for Raj Thackeray to react to Uddhav Thackeray’s comments that what people want will happen. How am I concerned? They will decide whether to have an alliance or not,” Fadnavis told reporters during a visit to Gadchiroli.Deputy CM Eknath Shinde declined to respond to a question on the matter but said Mahayuti comprising BJP and its allies will win local body polls. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said it was up to Raj and Uddhav to take a call. “What is the point in you and me discussing it?” he asked.The Congress said it will welcome such an alliance. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “There have been talks from both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS that they will join hands to protect Maharashtra’s interests and keep a communal BJP away. If the two parties come together for this, we will welcome the move.”The Thackeray cousins have recently indicated they could ignore “trivial issues” and join hands. While Raj has said uniting in the interest of the Marathi ‘manoos’ was not difficult, Uddhav has insisted he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided those working against Maharashtra’s interests were not entertained.On Thursday, MNS’ Amit Thackeray said alliances do not happen by making statements in the media, and added Uddhav and Raj should talk. PTI
