Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray led a joint victory march at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on July 26, 2026 [1].
The rare public alignment of the cousins signals a potential consolidation of political influence in Maharashtra amid national unrest over education standards. The event, also described as a "Tiranga" march, drew significant crowds to the historic Mumbai venue [1], [2].
Organizers framed the rally as a celebration following the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [2]. The march also served as a show of support for nationwide student protests regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination [1]. Security was tightened across the city to manage the crowds and ensure order during the joint appearance [3].
During the event, Uddhav Thackeray addressed the crowd and targeted the central government. "Modi realised only votes can be stolen, not people," he said [1].
The coordination between the two leaders marks a strategic shift in the regional political landscape. While the cousins have historically operated separate political vehicles, the joint rally at Shivaji Park suggests a unified front against the current administration's handling of public examinations and ministerial accountability [1], [3].
“"Modi realised only votes can be stolen, not people"”
The joint appearance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray leverages a moment of national vulnerability—the NEET-UG controversy and a high-profile ministerial resignation—to project a unified opposition in Maharashtra. By aligning their platforms at Shivaji Park, a site of deep symbolic importance, the Thackeray cousins are attempting to merge their respective bases of support to challenge the central government's authority in the state.
