Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray at a function to mark the death anniversary of Bal Thackeray
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, estranged cousins, were seated together at a public event in Mumbai today. The Thackerays were seen speaking to each other and posing for photographs at a function to mark the second death anniversary of Bal Thackeray, the founder of regional party Shiv Sena.
Before his death, Bal Thackeray chose son Uddhav over nephew Raj as his political heir, prompting a family feud. Raj Thackeray quit the Sena in 2005 and formed his own party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS.
Raj Thackeray, 46, had not attended last year's tribute to his uncle at the famous Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
In the recent state election, his party was a straggler, rounding up just one seat, as compared to 13 in 2009.
The BJP, which won the most seats, did not win a majority and though the Shiv Sena placed second, Uddhav Thackeray failed to win a place for the party in the new government. In retribution, the Sena voted against Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis in last week's trust vote, which he won.
A 25-year alliance between the Sena and the BJP crumbled before the election.
The national election earlier this year and the recent state election have marginalised Raj Thackeray to a bit player, rather than a potential threat to the Sena in its hold over right-wing voters.
When Uddhav Thackeray was hospitalised with a heart attack in 2012, Raj visited him there and drove him home. Two weeks ago, Uddhav Thackeray visited his cousin's daughter in hospital after she was involved in an accident.