A clandestine meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and CM Devendra Fadnavis has set Maharashtra’s political grapevine abuzz. With elections looming, this twist hints at alliances, betrayals, and a master strategist at play.
Mumbai’s Power Play
Mumbai. The city’s political pulse quickened on June 12, 2025. Raj Thackeray, the fiery Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a swanky South Mumbai hotel. The hush-hush rendezvous lasted over an hour. Whispers of a new alliance filled the air. Just months ago, Raj hinted at mending ties with cousin Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT). Now, this meeting has left allies and foes guessing. Is Raj, the eternal disruptor, rewriting Maharashtra’s political script?
A Strategic Disruptor
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sees Raj as a game-changer. His fiery oratory and Marathi manoos agenda pull votes from Uddhav’s core base. “Raj Thackeray is a wildcard,” a senior BJP leader told The Indian Express, requesting anonymity. “He can tilt the scales.” With civic polls and state elections on the horizon, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition is eager to rope him in. A 2023 Mumbai University study noted MNS’s influence in urban pockets, despite its single MLA. Raj’s appeal could dent Uddhav’s stronghold, analysts say.
Shirsat’s Cryptic Hint
Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat, a loyalist of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, fanned the flames. “Politics is full of U-turns,” he said with a sly smile. “Raj saheb has mass appeal. He can win civic polls with us.” Shirsat’s words carried weight. The Mahayuti had courted Raj before, only to be rebuffed. Now, with Shinde’s faction eyeing expansion, Raj’s MNS could be the missing piece. But will Raj bite? His history of flip-flops—cosying up to Modi in 2019, then slamming the BJP in 2022—keeps everyone on edge.
A Family Feud’s Shadow
The Thackeray cousins’ rivalry adds spice to this saga. Raj and Uddhav, once comrades in the undivided Shiv Sena, parted ways in 2006. Their bitter feud has shaped Maharashtra’s politics. In April 2025, Raj’s overtures toward Uddhav raised hopes of a truce. “Blood is thicker than water,” he had said, sparking reunion talks. Yet, this Fadnavis meeting suggests Raj is playing a deeper game. “He’s a lone wolf,” says political analyst Suhas Palshikar. “Raj thrives on keeping everyone guessing.”
What Lies Ahead?
As Mumbai’s political cauldron simmers, Raj holds the ladle. Will he join Mahayuti, challenge Uddhav, or carve a solo path? His supporters, waving MNS’s saffron flags, await his next move. For now, the state watches a master tactician at work. Maharashtra’s voters, battle-weary yet hopeful, brace for a stormy poll season. One thing is certain: Raj Thackeray’s shadow looms large.