Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday met cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray to wish him on his 65th birthday, the meeting coming amid shifting political dynamics in the State.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said no political angle should be ascribed to the cousins getting together for birthday wishes. Raj drove from his residence Shivteerth in Dadar to Matoshree, Uddhav’s residence in Bandra.
Flanked by his party MP Sanjay Raut, Uddhav received his cousin at the entrance of the Matoshree bungalow, one of the most recognised landmarks in Mumbai. Raj presented a large bouquet of red roses to his cousin. “On the occasion of my elder brother, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s birthday, I visited Matoshree, the residence of the late Balasaheb Thackeray, to extend my best wishes,” Raj posted on social media. He also tagged a photo of the meeting, taken with a portrait of Bal Thackeray, his uncle and Uddhav’s father, in the backdrop.
Uddhav told reporters that his happiness “multiplied manifold” after Raj met him. “He came to Matoshree after many years,” Uddhav said. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis said, “That the two met is a matter of joy. Why should it be viewed from a political angle? He (Raj) went to extend his birthday greetings. Our greetings are also with Uddhavji.”
“All (are) together. No problem at all,” Raut also posted on social media, tagging a photo of senior leaders of both the parties flanking the cousins at Matoshree.
At his joint rally with Raj in Mumbai on July 5, Uddhav Thackeray had said he and the MNS chief have “come together to stay together”.