By: Express News ServiceMumbai | November 17, 2025 07:54 PM IST 4 min read Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray attend the observance of Balasaheb Thackeray's death anniversary, in Mumbai. (PTI)Shivaji Park in Mumbai witnessed a heavy turnout Monday as thousands gathered to mark the 13th death anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. The annual commemoration drew particular attention this year with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray appearing together at the memorial for the first time in over a decade, triggering renewed talks around the evolving political alliance between the cousins ahead of the civic elections.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOUddhav, accompanied by his wife Rashmi and son Aaditya, arrived around noon. Raj reached shortly after with senior MNS leaders Bala Nandgaonkar and Nitin Sardesai. The cousins spoke for around 15 minutes in what appeared to be a cordial interaction, with Rashmi and Aaditya also joining in. Aaditya later walked Raj to his car, signalling a notable easing of long-standing strains between the two sides of the Thackeray family.Supporters continued to arrive throughout the day, lining up to offer floral tributes at the memorial. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, currently under medical treatment, also visited briefly and described Bal Thackeray as the leader who shaped his political journey.NCP(SP) president Sharad Pawar, in a statement, said the state’s political history remained incomplete without Bal Thackeray, recalling both his sharp rhetoric and personal warmth.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also paid tribute, crediting the Sena founder with giving Hindutva a distinct identity in Maharashtra.Although neither the MNS nor the Uddhav-led Sena has commented on possible collaboration, Raj’s presence at the memorial after 11 years and the visible warmth during Monday’s interaction have added a new layer to the political chatter around the Thackeray camps and their possible realignment.Raj Thackeray’s X post targets Shinde campAhead of his visit to Shivaji Park, Raj posted an old photograph with Bal Thackeray on X, writing an emotional tribute that also carried pointed remarks aimed at political rivals. In the post, he recalled his uncle’s role in building a mass movement and later shaping an assertive Hindutva framework.Story continues below this ad“Today is the death anniversary of my uncle, the founder of Shiv Sena and the Hindutva icon, the late Balasaheb Thackeray. In the history of this country, it was Balasaheb who created a massive movement rooted in linguistic identity, and from it gave birth to a political party. And at a time when identity politics was intensifying, and before the BJP’s ‘kamandal’ politics took shape, it was Balasaheb who awakened the sense of Hindu identity,” he said.Raj also emphasised that Bal Thackeray never viewed Hindus as a vote bank, contrasting it with what he implied were opportunistic political claims made today. “…Balasaheb never looked at Hindus as a vote bank. For him, this issue was one of identity and of devotion to the faith. And while doing this, he never abandoned the rational thinking inherited from (his father) Prabodhankar Thackeray,” he wrote.The tribute included a clear swipe at those he accused of appropriating Bal Thackeray’s legacy – remarks widely interpreted to be aimed at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Shiv Sena under his leadership.‘Some parade themselves as inheritors of his legacy’“Balasaheb was deeply devoted to the Hindu cause, but that did not erode his analytical mind. That is why I find it amusing when some people steal Balasaheb’s image and parade themselves as inheritors of his Hindutva or seek votes in his name… They neither know Balasaheb nor Prabodhankar. (Naturally, because there is a drought of listening and reading),” the post added.Story continues below this adRaj said such people have no idea how rich and deeply cultivated Balasaheb’s ideological foundation was. “At a time when politics has come to mean only winning votes, capturing power and then exploiting that power as one pleases, Balasaheb taught us the principle of society first, then politics. On behalf of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, I offer humble tribute to Balasaheb on his remembrance day,” he concluded.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Mumbai