30 July,2016 08:39 AM IST | | Dharmendra Jore
Party leaders and political pundits think Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray could have discussed strategies for 2017's BMC elections and the possibility of an amicable solution to Jaidev's court case
MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray
The estranged Thackeray cousins sent ripples through political circles with a closed-door meeting at Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray's Kalanagar residence - Matoshree - last morning. The meeting was reportedly called by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.
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MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray
Sources close to both leaders said Raj and Uddhav sat in isolation for a discussion.
"There was no one other than the two in the room. We don't know the details of what transpired at their closed-door meeting," said a Sena leader, adding that Raj also visited a room at the Kalanagar residence, where late Bal Thackeray spent his last days and paid tributes to his uncle.
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However, Raj's close aide, Bala Nandgaonkar, gave enough hints as to what the leaders had on their agenda. "They are not only brothers but also political leaders," he said.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray back at his Dadar home after his meeting with Sena boss Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/Rane Ashish
Raj, who heads the Sena splinter Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, has not been as successful as his cousin, whose party is a ruling partner in the state and Union governments.
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Sources said the two must have discussed political issues that they need to work on ahead of the civic elections in Mumbai, Thane, Pune and some other cities next year.
Political experts also think that the meeting was called because of a court case in which Uddhav's elder brother, Jaidev, has challenged late father Bal Thackeray's will.
A leader close to Raj said the MNS chief was "extremely disturbed" because of the court case and wanted to meet Uddhav to seek his opinion on whether the case could be settled out of court.
"Rajsaheb personally called Uddhavji on Thursday and asked if they could meet on Friday morning. There is a strong possibility of both having discussed the court case, and if need be, Rajsaheb may even talk to Jaidev to explore the possibility of an amicable solution," the leader said, adding that Uddhav's family is equally disturbed by of the ugly turn that the case has taken because of Jaidev's revelations in court.
