Thackeray–Fadnavis Reunion on Cards? Aaditya’s BKC Meet Sparks Political Speculation in Maharashtra

Thackeray–Fadnavis Reunion on Cards: There were rumours of a modification in the political situation in Maharashtra after leaders of two major parties of the region, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, met at a hotel in Mumbai.

On Saturday in the evening at about 6 pm, Aaditya Thackeray arrived at Sofitel hotel at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Soon, Fadnavis landed in the hotel and there was a closed-door meeting between the two leaders as party insiders informed Hindustan Times.

The chief minister (CMO) however said Fadnavis was in the hotel on Saturday but he did not meet Aaditya.

“The two leaders were there for separate programmes and did not have any meeting,” an official from the Maharashtra CMO said.

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Fadnavis of Maharashtra is in cooperation with Shiv Sena sinde led by Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray has been in the opposition Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA) along with Sharad Pawar and National Congress Party and UBC besides Congress.

It is few days after, on 7 July, Uddhav Thackeray and son Aadtiya Thackeray, met with the Maharashtra CM at the office of Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde.

According to several leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP, who spoke to HT anonymously, Saturday evening meeting could not be a mere coincidence.

Speculations are rife that the two ex-partners are likely to join hands since the two leaders of the BJP and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have held secretive talks. The parties of the opposing blocs have also reacted on the development.

Reunion possible? Reactions of Rival bloc leaders

According to Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) (NCP-SP) leader Prashant Jagtap, such a union between BJP-Shiv Sena (UBT) party will not be of surprise as this kind of thing had been going on in the state since 2019.

"Anything can happen in Maharashtra. We've already witnessed several unexpected developments after 2019. If they decide to reunite, it won't be shocking for the people of Maharashtra."

But Jagtap said that he would hope that the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction should remain with the Maha Vikas Agadhi and otherwise it would amount to betrayal of people.

"I truly hope Shiv Sena (UBT) does not join hands with BJP again. The voters backed MVA for its ideology and progressive stance. Reuniting with BJP would be a betrayal of that mandate," he added.

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'Scope to join our ranks'

In another light-hearted moment on fruitful bantering with Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis was conducting the farewell to Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve earlier this week, when he invited the latter to "go over to the ruling side."

"At least till 2029, there is no scope for us to come there (opposition). Uddhav Ji can think about the scope of coming to this side (ruling party) and that can be thought about in a different way, but there is absolutely no scope left for us to come," Fadnavis said.

The 2024 assembly election saw a poor showing of the opposition MVA alliance with only 46 seats won by this alliance.

The largest party in the MVA with only 20 seats is Shiv Sena (UBT). The Mahayuti alliance, which included BJP, NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) had won the assembly polls with an overall figure of 230 out of 288 seats.

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