Uddhav, Raj joining hands will be force multiplier: Bhujbal

Senior NCP leader and former Shiv Sainik Chhagan Bhujbal today said Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray's possible reunion will become a force to reckon with in Maharashtra politics if the estranged cousins decide to bury their differences and come together.
"The strength of both the (cousin) brothers will increase many times if they come together after a gap of so many years. Being together, they will not need the support of anybody else to make a strong mark in the state. I also feel Uddhav should take the first step towards rapprochement," Bhujbal said.
He was speaking to a regional news channel after the Thackeray cousins shared the stage together for the first time in last two years while paying tribute to late Bal Thackeray on his second death anniversary at Shivaji Park here.

The growing bonhomie between the two cousins after a long gap, marked by pointed barbs and political oneupmanship, has left the political circles abuzz with talks of future ramifications the reunion may have against the backdrop of Sena's frequent flip-flop on joining the newly-installed BJP government.
There is also a speculation that MNS' joining hands with Sena may insulate the latter from any political uncertainty if BJP decides to pull the plug on Uddhav Thackeray's party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Bhujbal, who started his political career in Shiv Sena in the 1960s, said though Thackerays could not fight the polls together, there is still a ground left for them to come together as one force.

"I know both of them could not come together during the election time. But it isn't too late even now. I am nobody to give them suggestions and they don't need it as well. But I strongly feel they should carry forward the legacy of Balasaheb together. And every person who loves Balasaheb wants the same thing. The first step has been taken today," he said.
"People who are their well-wishers will not think about the past. They might have made mistakes due to which they did not come together... But if their relations are getting better now, it is welcome," Bhujbal added.