Mumbai, 20 July: A surprise closed-door meeting between Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a hotel in Mumbai has triggered intense speculation about a possible political realignment in the state. The two leaders reportedly met on Saturday evening at the Sofitel hotel in Bandra Kurla Complex, where sources claim they held a discreet discussion behind closed doors.
While neither the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor Shiv Sena (UBT) has confirmed the meeting officially, insiders from both parties, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Hindustan Times that “it cannot be a coincidence” the two arrived at the same hotel at the same time.
However, the Chief Minister’s Office has denied any such interaction. “The two leaders were there for separate programmes and did not have any meeting,” said a CMO official.
The development comes amid signs of strain within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, of which Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is a key component, alongside Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) and the Congress. The ruling Mahayuti bloc — comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP — swept the recent state assembly polls with 230 seats out of 288, while the MVA managed only 46.
This is not the first time the possibility of a BJP-Sena (UBT) patch-up has surfaced. Just days ago, Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya were seen in a cordial interaction with Fadnavis at the Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde’s office. The chemistry between the leaders, especially a public banter by Fadnavis during a farewell for Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve, has only added fuel to the speculation.
“Till 2029, there is no scope for us to come to the opposition. Uddhav ji can think about coming to this side,” Fadnavis had remarked, hinting at a possible opening for reconciliation.
Leaders from the rival MVA camp have responded cautiously. Prashant Jagtap of the NCP (Sharad Pawar) said, “Anything can happen in Maharashtra. We’ve already witnessed several unexpected developments since 2019. If they reunite, it won’t be a surprise.”
However, Jagtap also expressed concern over the ideological implications of such a move. “I truly hope Shiv Sena (UBT) stays with MVA. The voters supported us for our progressive stance. Rejoining BJP would be a betrayal of that mandate.”
The Shiv Sena (UBT), which emerged as the largest MVA party with 20 seats, now faces internal and external pressure as rumours swirl about its future course.
While there has been no official word from Aaditya or Uddhav Thackeray yet, political observers suggest the ongoing electoral realities and the BJP’s dominant position may be driving both parties to reassess alliances ahead of the 2029 state elections.
For now, the political corridors remain abuzz as Maharashtra waits to see whether history might repeat itself — and whether a new chapter in the Sena-BJP saga is about to unfold.
