Mumbai: Members of the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have started to press for a demand post Bal Thackeray’s demise that “warring” cousins Uddhav and Raj bury their differences and come together on the political front.

“After Balasaheb’s death, the Marathi manoos feels orphaned and insecure. Now, the estranged cousins must unite for this common cause,” said a Shiv Sena party member, as reported by DNA.

The Sena member, however, added that if the cousins do decide to join hands, they would likely do so only after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls keeping in mind the seats they win in the General Elections.

“They will test each other’s strength as these will be the first polls to be held without Balasaheb… this will help them judge their bargaining power,” the Sena member added.

An MLA from the MNS also opined that any truck between the two would be possible only in the future and not in weeks.

“Everyone wants to come to power. However, it seems far-fetched now to say that the Sena and the MNS will merge. Both have created various rungs of leadership in their respective parties. In case of a merger, how will these be adjusted?” asked a MNS functionary.

“But a pre-poll adjustment or post-poll alliance may be possible,” the MNS leader said.

“This will have to happen eventually, this is the need of the hour,” said Satish Valanju, a former Shiv Sainik, who along with his friends had started a public campaign, Mazi Chalval, Mee Maharashtracha, to unite Uddhav and Raj before the municipal corporation elections.

He told DNA that an overwhelming majority of Maharashtrians wanted the cousins to unite.