Raj Thackeray Meets Fadnavis Amid Sena-MNS Reunion Buzz, Fuels Civic Poll Speculation

Maharashtra’s political landscape saw a fresh twist on Thursday (12 June) as the Maharashtra Navnirman (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray held a closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Taj Lands End hotel in Bandra, Mumbai, the Indian Express reported

This comes amid ongoing talks of a possible patch-up between Raj Thackeray and his estranged cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The unscheduled, hour-long meeting has sparked intense speculation about potential realignments ahead of the upcoming civic polls.

For nearly two months, Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya, and senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have made repeated public appeals for realignments with Raj, invoking the unity of the “Marathi manoos” and regional pride as key reasons to reunite. 

These overtures have included symbolic gestures, old photographs, and prominent coverage in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana. 

However, the MNS has largely remained silent, neither confirming nor denying the possibility of an alliance.

The timing of the Raj-Fadnavis meeting is significant, coming just as the state government announced ward delimitation for 29 municipal corporations, a crucial step before local body elections. 

Another important factor is the symbolism of the meeting, set against the backdrop of both Raj’s and Aaditya Thackeray’s birthdays, dates that Shiv Sena (UBT) workers had hoped would serve as symbolic moments for a historic Thackeray family reunion.

BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye reportedly said the two leaders share a good friendship and might have met to discuss development-related matters concerning the state.

Raj Thackeray had extended support to the BJP during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but his party chose to contest the Maharashtra Assembly elections held in November last year independently.

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