Raj Thackeray Celebrates Uddhav Thackeray's Birthday Amid Political Developments

In a notable political reunion, Raj Thackeray visited Uddhav Thackeray to celebrate his 66th birthday, reflecting on their long-standing relationship and recent political events. The two leaders, who have had a complicated history, participated in a march addressing educational issues and have plans to collaborate in the upcoming BMC elections. This meeting signifies a potential shift in Maharashtra's political landscape as they navigate their shared past and future endeavors.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 17:39 IST

Birthday Wishes and Political Alliances

On July 27, in Mumbai, Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), visited his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, the head of Shiv Sena (UBT), to extend birthday greetings on his 66th birthday. Raj arrived at Uddhav's residence, 'Matoshree', located in Bandra, to celebrate the occasion. Earlier in June, Uddhav had also visited Raj at his home, 'Shivtirath', to wish him on his birthday.

The two leaders recently participated in a 'celebration' march from Shivaji Park to Siddhivinayak Temple, following protests led by the Cockroach Public Party (CAZPA) regarding the alleged leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) question paper, which resulted in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. After being apart for many years, the cousins made a public appearance together in July 2025, marking their first joint event in nearly two decades. This gathering followed the government's decision to withdraw orders implementing Hindi as a third language in state schools.

Subsequently, both leaders agreed to contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections together in January 2026. However, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance emerged victorious in the elections. Raj Thackeray had parted ways with Shiv Sena in 2005 due to differences with Uddhav and subsequently founded the MNS.