Speculation Grows After Shah’s Maharashtra Visit: Fadnavis Hints at BJP-Uddhav Thackeray Alliance

(Vipul Vaidya)

Mumbai: After speculations of the ‘Thackeray brothers’ coming together in Maharashtra, a new discussion has emerged. It is being said that the BJP and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) may come together again in the municipal elections. It is being claimed that talks are going on behind the scenes between the two parties. If this happens, it will be the second biggest political ‘game’ in Maharashtra politics after the division of Shiv Sena into two. This discussion has emerged at a time when a few days ago, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had said that the Pawar and Thackeray brands cannot be diminished from Maharashtra politics.

Friendship before municipal elections!

There is talk in political circles that efforts have begun to smoothen up relations between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) before the municipal elections in Mumbai and Maharashtra. For this, efforts are being made to make nationalism and Hindutva a big issue, recently the BJP has focused on Veer Savarkar. It is believed that during the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, there was a discussion about making Maharashtra saffron in the local body elections. BJP wants to gain complete control over Maharashtra like Gujarat, where Congress could not make a comeback despite lakhs of efforts. After becoming the Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray met Devendra Fadnavis. At that time, both were together for 20 minutes. It is also being said that if the Shiv Sena (UBT) is ready to come together, then the BJP can prepare to create the necessary environment for it. Even after separating from the BJP, the stance of the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Veer Savarkar has remained intact.

Attempts to forget the past

There is talk in political circles that BJP has hinted to Shiv Sena UBT that if both parties forget the past and come together, then a new chapter of politics can be rewritten in the state. BJP has also hinted that if Shiv Sena UBT comes back to the NDA, then it can also get proper representation in the Maharashtra government. The two parties had parted ways over the post of Chief Minister and for the first time, a ‘game’ was seen in Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister with the support of Congress and NCP. After that, BJP also played a game by breaking the into two state political parties including shiv sena, but now preparations are being seen for a new game again.

Priyanka Chaturvedi’s inclusion

There is talk in political circles that BJP gave the first hint by including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi in the all-party delegation of ‘Operation Sindoor’. Shiv Sena (UBT) had earlier refused to include any MP in this team, but finally announced the inclusion of Priyanka Chaturvedi in the team. After that, Aaditya Thackeray said that he is with the government for the unity of India on the global stage, but the party will continue to demand an all-party meeting at the domestic stage. Experts say that there have been bitter-sweet relations between BJP-Shiv Sena in the past too, but what will be the future of Eknath Shinde in the friendship with UBT? This is the biggest question. Uddhav Thackeray may make it a condition to remove Shinde before joining BJP, although experts are denying any such possibility.