Raj Thackeray

Raj Balasaheb Thackeray, born on 14th June 1968, is an Indian politician and the founding chairman of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional political party. He is the nephew of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Raj Thackeray is a 10th-grade graduate and a dropout of Mumbai's Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art. As a child, he learned to play the tabla, guitar, and violin.

Raj Thackeray stands around 5'6" with a strong build and sharp facial features. He has short black hair.

Raj Thackeray’s political journey began within the Shiv Sena, where he initially played a key role as a leader under the guidance of his uncle, Bal Thackeray. However, ideological differences led to his departure from the Shiv Sena in 2005. He then founded the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in 2006, focusing on the rights and welfare of Marathi-speaking people in Maharashtra. Under his leadership, MNS gained significant traction, especially in urban areas like Mumbai and Pune. Raj Thackeray’s fiery speeches and strong stance on regional issues have made him a polarizing yet powerful figure in Maharashtra’s political arena.

Raj Thackeray began his political career by launching the student wing of Shiv Sena, called Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena. He gained prominence during the 1990 Maharashtra Assembly elections. In the 1990s, Raj believed he was the heir to his uncle, Balasaheb Thackeray.

• The younger brother of Bal Thackeray, Shrikant Thackeray, is the father of Raj Thackeray. Bal Thackeray's wife, Meena Thackeray, has a younger sister named Kunda Thackeray.
• He studied the violin, guitar, and tabla as a child.
• Additionally, he provided drawings for Bal Thackeray's weekly magazine, Marmik.
• Thackeray declared that he did not wish to have a conflict with his uncle, who "was, is, and always will be (his) mentor," after leaving the Shiv Sena in 2006.
• Narendra Modi's efforts in Gujarat are praised by Raj Thackeray.