After years of studied silence and bitterness on the political stage, cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have decided to come together, putting aside old differences to fight in the name of Marathi pride and Maharashtra’s identity. The reunion is widely seen as a politically necessary move to stay relevant in the city and state’s quickly changing political landscape.

Both of their parties are facing tough times. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has been weakened after the split led by Eknath Shinde, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been struggling to make an electoral comeback. With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election approaching, leaders from both camps believe unity is the only way to avoid a split in the Marathi vote and regain lost ground. In fact, the upcoming BMC battle is seen as a do-or-die one for them.