'Did he seek his wife's permission?': BJP's Nitesh Rane mocks Uddhav over 'possible alliance' with estranged cousin Raj Thackeray

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Sunday took a sharp jibe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, questioning whether he sought "his wife Rashmi Thackeray's permission" before making moves to team up with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, sparking talk of a possible alliance between the estranged cousins.
"You should ask Uddhav Thackeray whether he took Rashmi Thackeray's permission before making any move towards joining hands with the MNS," Rane said in a podcast to a Hindi news channel, according to PTI.
"Her opinion holds more weight in such decisions," the Maharashtra minister added.
These remarks came as Maharashtra’s political scene saw a twist, with the two estranged Thackeray cousins hinting at a possible reunion after 20 years.
Recently, both Raj and Uddhav have indicated potential cooperation, suggesting they might overlook minor disagreements for Maharashtra and the Marathi 'manoos'.
"I am ready to come together (with Raj Thackeray). I am ready to come forward in the interest of Maharashtra, keeping aside minor incidents. I have put an end to all fights. The interest of Maharashtra is my priority," former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said during his address at the 57th annual general meeting of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena.
Raj Thackeray echoed a similar sentiment, saying that "coming together is not difficult" and that differences between cousins are "proving costly for the existence of Maharashtra and Marathi people.”
Rane further claimed that Rashmi Thackeray played a key role in Raj Thackeray leaving Shiv Sena, even though there were no major differences between the two cousins at the time.
Regarding a potential alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navniram Sena, Rane highlighted the BJP-led Mahayuti's decisive victory in Maharashtra. "So we are not concerned about any alliance between them," he asserted.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut clarified that no formal alliance exists between his party and MNS, though he confirmed ongoing "emotional talks".
"There is no announcement of an alliance. Currently, emotional talks are going on," Raut told reporters in Mumbai.
"They meet at family functions. They are brothers," the Rajya Sabha MP added.