Speculation Rises Over Maharashtra Politics as Ajit Pawar Comments on Raj Thackeray–Fadnavis Talks

Less than a week ago, all appeared fine within the Thackeray camp. Cousins Uddhav and Raj, who had a falling out in 2005, had buried the hatchet and were planning to run in the high-profile Mumbai civic elections jointly, posing a problem for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling alliance.


However, on Wednesday, concerns were raised when candidates supported by the Thackeray clan were defeated in elections for the city's transport and energy supply union.in 2005, had buried the axe and were set to contest the high-profile Mumbai civic polls together, presenting quite the conundrum to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling alliance.

But on Wednesday, eyebrows were raised after candidates backed by the Thackeray clan were routed in elections for the employees' union of the city's transport and electricity supply body.

And on Thursday, rumour mills fired up after Raj Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Candidates backed by the BJP-led alliance won seven of the 21 seats on offer.

This came after Mr Fadnavis claimed that the people had rejected the 'Thackeray brand' amid cash-for-vote charges against a local politician affiliated with Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena UBT.
If a realignment occurs, it will compound an already confusing political situation in the state months, if not weeks, before the Mumbai civic council election.


However, Raj Thackeray has denied any such talk, stating that the meeting with the Chief Minister was about town planning issues, "subjects that have always been of interest to me".

"Redevelopment is underway in cities across Maharashtra. The population is expanding, traffic is increasing, and a large number of people are moving here. In Mumbai, traffic is a serious issue. People do not understand driving etiquette; they park anywhere and leave," he remarked.

"Today I discussed this issue with the Chief Minister as well as Mumbai Police," according to Raj Thackeray. "I prepared a presentation and hope the state takes this issue seriously and works on it."

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar downplayed the encounter, suggesting it was more of a courtesy call. "This is a Maharashtra tradition and culture...where people gather with renowned figures. There is no need to derive any additional meaning.

"Now, who should meet whom... who is going to meet whom.... what should I say? Many people keep meeting. The head of the state, Devendra ji, is present; therefore, people will meet, and whether in power or not, whether in politics or not, many people will continue to go."

Last week, as India celebrated Independence Day, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut praised the Thackeray cousins' cooperation and projected victory in the civic elections.

"No power can break the iron fist of 'Marathi manus' now," he told journalists.

The cousins separated in November 2005, just after Shiv Sena patriarch and founder Bal Thackeray died. Talk of a reunion emerged after the state government's failed efforts to make Hindi mandatory in schools sparked violent protests over the 'Marathi' identity.

And that reconciliation was cemented in late July, when Raj Thackeray was welcomed to Matoshree, the Thackeray family mansion and nerve centre, to celebrate Uddhav Thackeray's birthday.

Civic elections in the greater Mumbai region, particularly for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which the Uddhav Sena regards as its stronghold, are a source of pride. The Uddhav-Raj coalition intends to sweep these and make a statement before the next Assembly election.

The state government's reversal of the three-language policy, as well as the adoption of Hindi as a third language, appeared to be a rallying point for the cousins' parties.

The BJP, on the other hand, has stated that the Thackeray reunion does not concern them. And the employee union's election defeat has bolstered its position that the cousins pose no electoral threat.