Maharashtra politics: Is Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance doomed after Raj Thackeray-Fadnavis meeting?

A day after tasting bitter defeat in the BEST Employees’ Co-operative Credit Society Election 2025, MNS leader Raj Thackeray was spotted at the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ‘Varsha’, sparking rumours of a political rift. Thackeray’s visit has cast a shadow over the prospects of Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, with rumours gaining strength that the short-lived reconciliation may be doomed.

Though it is unclear as to what transpired between them, Raj Thackeray’s meeting with Fadnavis went on for over one and a half hours. MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar was also with Raj Thackeray, according to local media reports.

In the elections, the Thackeray brothers didn’t win even a single seat. The Utkarsh panel of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray's alliance faced a bad defeat at the hands of the BJP panel in the election that was considered a litmus test ahead of the civic body polls.

Raj later spoke media regarding the visit, stating he had met the Chief Minister seeking a solution for the traffic problems of Mumbai. Stating that he gave the CM a plan to address the crisis, Raj said: “Everyone has seen the condition of Mumbai after the rain. There are few roads, and people do not have discipline regarding traffic. We need more parking lots,” Raj told reporters.

However, the timing of his visit has raised eyebrows. This isn’t the first time that Raj has been holding meetings with Fadnavis. Earlier, before taking out a rally against making Hindi compulsory, Raj Thackeray had a secret meeting with Fadnavis at a five-star hotel. This meeting had made headlines, but the MNS leader stated that he visited the Chief Minister to discuss the issues of Mumbai.

However, the Uddhav faction has been going out of its way to dispel the rumours. Sanjay Raut, senior Shiv Sena UBT leader, told reporters that Raj Thackeray may have gone to Fadnavis to invite him to his house for Ganpati.

“Raj Thackeray may want to talk to Devendra Fadnavis about some issue in the state. Raj Thackeray may want to talk to the Chief Minister about the pathetic situation of Mumbai. In Maharashtra politics, opposition party leaders meet the Chief Minister. Raj Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis have met before. Only Raj Thackeray can tell the purpose of today's meeting. Given Raj Thackeray's nature, I think  he will speak clearly and firmly about this meeting. Meeting the Chief Minister of the state is not a political crime. If Uddhav Thackeray or I have work to do with the Chief Minister, we will also meet them,” Raut said, adding that there was no need to take the BEST election seriously. “It was an election for a credit union. Its discussion and importance are limited to the BEST depot,” said Sanjay Raut.

India