Sun Jan 11 18:40:29 UTC 2026: ### Thackeray Cousins Unite Against BJP’s “Fake Hindutva” Ahead of Civic Polls

The Story:

In a significant political development, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray joined forces on Sunday to launch a fierce attack on the BJP, accusing the ruling party of practicing “fake Hindutva.” The joint rally, strategically timed before upcoming civic polls, signals a potential shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape as the Thackeray cousins attempt to consolidate their support base and challenge the BJP’s dominance.

Key Points:

  • Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray held a joint rally.
  • The rally targeted the BJP’s “fake Hindutva” ideology.
  • The event was strategically scheduled before the civic polls.

Critical Analysis:

The context reveals a pattern of escalating tensions and maneuvering within Maharashtra’s political sphere. The rhetoric around “Hindutva,” the ongoing power struggle following the split in Shiv Sena (with Eknath Shinde leading a faction aligned with BJP), and anxieties about Mumbai’s future (“Won’t let BJP and Adani take away Mumbai”) are all key factors. Eknath Shinde’s jibes at Uddhav Thackeray for not leaving Mumbai further underscore the personal and political stakes. The reunion of the Thackeray cousins can be viewed as a strategic attempt to consolidate the Marathi vote bank and reclaim the Hindutva narrative, which they perceive as being hijacked by the BJP. The “fake Hindutva” accusation is a direct challenge to the BJP’s ideological standing, attempting to expose perceived hypocrisy or inconsistency.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Thackeray cousins are attempting to revive their political fortunes through unity.
  • The “fake Hindutva” narrative is a key strategy to undermine the BJP’s support.
  • The upcoming civic polls are the immediate catalyst for this alliance.
  • The event reflects the ongoing power struggle between the Uddhav Thackeray faction and the BJP-aligned Eknath Shinde government.

Impact Analysis:

This alliance, while seemingly focused on the upcoming civic polls, has potential long-term implications for Maharashtra’s political landscape. If successful, it could lead to a significant realignment of political forces, potentially challenging the BJP’s dominance in the state. The success or failure of this strategy will heavily depend on whether the Thackeray cousins can effectively bridge their past differences and resonate with the Marathi electorate. The long-term impact will also depend on how the BJP responds to this challenge and whether it can effectively counter the “fake Hindutva” narrative. The alliance may impact the future alliances and coalitions within the state.

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