The significant development occurred on Thursday morning when Raj Thackeray met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a private session at an upscale hotel in Bandra. With the high-stakes municipal elections in Mumbai approaching, this meeting is perceived as a potential ‘game changer’ that could challenge the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).
For months, both parties have exhibited signs of reconciliation at the community level. MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) members have been seen interacting amicably at various events, igniting speculation about a possible tie-up that might transform Marathi politics in the city. Although Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray have not disclosed details about their meeting, rumors suggest that the Raj Thackeray-led MNS might receive backing from the BJP and Mahayuti in the upcoming BMC elections, stirring political excitement across the city.
Recently, Raj Thackeray welcomed Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde to his home, and subsequently, Shinde’s close aide and Industries Minister Uday Samant visited Raj Thackeray as well, fueling conjecture that the two might unite to keep Uddhav at bay. Later, in a podcast interview, Raj expressed his willingness to set aside differences with cousin Uddhav for the greater good of Maharashtra and the Marathi population.
Since that moment, discussions about a potential alliance between Uddhav and Raj have surged, with both leaders signaling positivity. Party activists have even erected banners in numerous parts of Mumbai urging unity between the two. However, despite this friendly atmosphere, no formal discussions or proposals have been exchanged between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray. Insiders confirm that the two have neither met nor directed their teams to initiate talks regarding an alliance—at least not yet. Sources indicate that both sides are intentionally holding off, waiting for the State Election Commission to announce the municipal election dates before making any significant moves.
Thursday’s meeting between Raj Thackeray and CM Fadnavis is viewed as a strategic maneuver by Devendra Fadnavis. Findings from a recent survey by VoteVibe, a private firm, indicate that the BJP has a clear advantage in the forthcoming BMC elections. However, should the Thackeray cousins collaborate, they could present a formidable challenge to the BJP by potentially consolidating the Marathi vote in Mumbai. Sources suggest that this closed-door meeting was far from a mere courtesy; it likely carried a political agenda.
Against this backdrop, questions abound regarding whether Raj Thackeray has received an overture from the BJP to marginalize Shiv Sena (UBT). The MNS, led by Raj Thackeray, refrained from participating in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and extended support to PM Modi. During the state assembly elections, Raj contested independently against both factions of Shiv Sena but met with limited success. It now seems that with the support of the BJP, Raj aims to re-establish his party’s footing in the BMC.
Following the Raj Thackeray-Fadnavis meeting, notable figures from both Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aghadi expressed their thoughts. NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar suggested that Raj Thackeray’s interactions with Eknath Shinde, followed by his openness to align with Uddhav Thackeray, and now his meeting with Devendra Fadnavis, could be strategic maneuvers to enhance his bargaining power leading up to the local body elections. Shiv Sena leader and minister Uday Samant described this meeting as a mere “coincidence.”
Subsequently, MNS leaders and close associates of Raj Thackeray, Sandeep Deshpande and Ameya Khopkar, met with Minister Uday Samant, indicating that the much-discussed potential alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) may no longer be in the works, suggesting that MNS has begun its negotiations with Mahayuti. After their meeting, both leaders clarified that the discussion was about a project related to Panvel town, not alliance discussions.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar remarked, “BJP cannot afford a reunion of the Thackeray brothers. The Marathi community desires this alliance, and if the family is to unite, Congress would support that. However, if Raj Thackeray is pursuing alliance talks with Mahayuti, his credibility is at risk.” He further noted that while an MNS-BJP coalition might not be in the cards, an MNS-Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) partnership could emerge to keep Uddhav Thackeray at bay.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has commenced the ward delimitation process, indicating that elections—particularly for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)—could be announced soon. The state has instructed a reconfiguration of wards for A, B, and C category municipal corporations, including Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Kalyan-Dombivli. Mumbai will maintain its existing 227 single-member ward format, while most other corporations will transition to a four-member ward system.
As the boundaries are redrawn and the election date nears, the pressure on Raj and Uddhav to take decisive action or abandon the idea of collaboration is escalating. Supporters from both sides argue that the era of mere symbolic gestures has passed—it is now the time for political clarity. Will the cousins unite to present a consolidated Thackeray front, or will they separately approach another crucial BMC election? The countdown has commenced, but the decision remains shrouded in political uncertainty.
