Mumbai, April 19 -- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS ) chief Raj Thackeray has said that he is ready to join hands with cousin Uddhav Thackeray, "leaving aside petty disputes" for the sake of Marathi manus (people).

The MNS chief's remarks came in a podcast of actor and Raj Thackeray's friend Mahesh Manjrekar.

"Our disputes are very minor in the larger context of Maharashtra and the Marathi people. I am ready to come with Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of Shiv Sena (UBT)," said Raj.

"Maharashtra is much bigger than our disputes," replied Raj to a question whether he can still unite with the Uddhav faction of Shiv Sena.

Raj's remark indicated yet another political churn in the state that has seen splitting of Shiv Sena and the NCP in recent...