MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray at a Bandra hotel on Thursday morning, fueling speculation about a potential political alliance. The meeting, confirmed by sources, comes amid growing talk of a possible reconciliation between Raj Thackeray and his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who have been politically estranged for years.
The discussion between Fadnavis, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, and Raj Thackeray was held at a five-star hotel in Mumbai’s Bandra area, though details of their conversation remain undisclosed. When reached for comment, BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye described the two leaders as close friends, suggesting their meeting likely focused on developmental issues concerning Maharashtra. Upadhye emphasized that no further elaboration was necessary, downplaying any immediate political implications.
The timing of the meeting has drawn attention due to ongoing rumors of a rapprochement between the Thackeray cousins. Raj Thackeray, who founded MNS after parting ways with Shiv Sena in 2006, has been a vocal figure in Maharashtra politics. His party extended support to the BJP during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but chose to contest the state assembly elections independently in November of the same year, failing to secure any seats.
The meeting occurs as the Maharashtra government initiates preparations for local body elections, including ward delimitation for 29 municipal corporations, such as Mumbai. Political observers note that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, secured a decisive victory in the 2024 state assembly polls against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition. The Fadnavis-Thackeray meeting has sparked curiosity about potential strategic alignments ahead of the civic polls, particularly in Mumbai, where MNS holds a notable voter base. Neither side has confirmed any formal alliance discussions, leaving political circles abuzz with speculation.