Raj Thackeray Slams Media For Misreporting About ‘Alliance’ With Uddhav-Led Shiv Sena

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder-president Raj Thackeray Wednesday tweeted on X, criticising a section of the media for putting words into his mouth about any potential political alliance with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

Tweeting in the Marathi language, Raj Thackeray stated that he had never spoken anything about any kind of alliance with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, as reported in a section of the media in Mumbai.

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Reports were published in some newspapers that Raj Thackeray would decide to form an alliance with Uddhav Thackeray before the elections. The tone of those reports suggested that I had said so, which was not at all the case,” Raj Thackeray stated.

“Some media outlets have put some words in my mouth about forming an alliance before the elections, though I never said so. On July 14 and 15, 2025, a camp was organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for selected office bearers in Igatpuri. During that camp, I had an informal interaction with some journalists. That was when I was asked about the victory rally of July 5. I replied that the rally was not political at all but a rally of victory for the Marathi people and the Marathi language,” Raj Thackeray stated.

“However, eventually I was asked about an alliance with the Shiv Sena. I replied by saying–do you want me to discuss the alliance with you (journalists) now?” Raj Thackeray stated.

“After that, yesterday (Tuesday), some English and Marathi newspapers, as well as a few other media outlets, put words in my mouth about things that I never said about any alliance. I never talked about any decision about any alliance that may be taken after looking at the situation before the municipal elections,” Raj Thackeray stated.

“What is this new kind of journalism that has started? Informal chats and off-the-record conversations are meant to be kept informal. Even if some of it gets published, what was never said should not be put into the mouth of any person. Has this not dawned on us (journalists) so far?” Raj Thackeray stated.

“Please don’t think we (MNS) have not noticed that a few journalists have started a new kind of journalism. Do you want some news every day? And if you don’t get anything for a day, you will simply create some news? What kind of new journalism is this? It seems surprising that even a newspaper like ‘The Times Of India’ has published such news without bothering to confirm it. The kind of anarchy going on on social media should not be allowed to spill over into journalism,” Raj Thackeray stated.

“Fortunately, there are still many honest editors and journalists who know what I’m talking about. My direct connection with journalism dates back to 1984. I have seen weeklies, newspapers, and magazines originating from our home. I, too, have had a journey in journalism as a cartoonist in Marmik (a Marathi political satire weekly started by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray), Lokprabha, Awaaz, Loksatta, and Saamana (which is an Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-run Marathi-language daily newspaper launched by the late Balasaheb Thackeray).

”So I have experienced journalism very closely. I have a very good idea of what good-quality journalism is and how it is done. Therefore, I request a few journalists and their editors not to do such things. If I really wish to make any political statement, I will hold an official press conference,” MNS chief Raj Thackeray stated in his long Marathi-language post.