“Even My Doctor Changed Sides”: Raj Thackeray’s Sharp Political Jibes at Bal Thackeray’s Birth Centenary Event

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday delivered a speech laced with humour and sharp political satire while sharing the stage with his brother, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, at an event marking the 100th birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray in Mumbai.

In a remark that drew loud applause and laughter, Raj Thackeray quipped, “Even my doctor has changed his party,” using the anecdote as a biting comment on shifting political loyalties in post-election Maharashtra.

The event was significant as it marked the first public appearance of the Thackeray brothers together after the BMC election results, where Shiv Sena (UBT) won 89 seats while the MNS secured six. Senior leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray were also present on the dais.

Humour with a Political Edge

Raj Thackeray began his address in his trademark conversational style, narrating a light-hearted story about illness before and after the elections. He said Uddhav Thackeray was unwell before the polls but recovered quickly afterward, while he himself fell ill post-elections.

Referring to his family doctor, Dr Yadav, Raj clarified jokingly that despite the name, the doctor was Marathi. He said he had recommended the same doctor to Uddhav Thackeray, who recovered within two days, while he himself showed no improvement despite taking the same medication for over a week.

“That’s when I realised,” Raj said amid laughter, “my doctor, too, seems to have switched sides,” drawing parallels with the frequent political realignments in the state.

Strong Words on Bal Thackeray’s Legacy

While the speech had its lighter moments, Raj Thackeray also made strong ideological statements while paying tribute to Bal Thackeray. He said Bal Thackeray remained relevant even after his death and continued to shape Maharashtra’s politics and social consciousness.

“Power comes and goes, but influence endures,” Raj said, adding that Bal Thackeray never held constitutional power himself but took pride in empowering ordinary workers.

He asserted that no one could replicate Bal Thackeray’s style of politics and that his legacy of fighting for Marathi language, identity, and pride would never weaken. Raj also remarked that Bal Thackeray had proven that Hindus could emerge as a political force, though he expressed concern over what he described as the “commercialisation of Hindutva” in contemporary politics.

A Renewed Thackeray Chemistry

The event witnessed visible warmth between the two brothers. Raj Thackeray publicly honoured Uddhav Thackeray on stage, a gesture seen as carrying strong political symbolism. The camaraderie was further underlined when Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut felicitated Raj Thackeray with a shawl.

Political observers see the renewed bonhomie as a signal of long-term coordination between the two parties in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray had contested elections together in the past, and the latest show of unity has sparked speculation about closer cooperation in future political battles.

Clear Message to Maharashtra Politics

Raj Thackeray’s speech—combining satire, ideology, and emotion—sent a clear message: while alliances may shift and loyalties may change, the legacy of Bal Thackeray and the Thackeray brand of politics remains central to Maharashtra’s political narrative.