Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meets Raj Thackeray amid political speculations

MNS Chief Had Recently Criticized BJP Over Cabinet Inductions

In a significant political development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence in Mumbai on Monday, sparking fresh speculations about political realignments in the state.

BJP MLC Prasad Lad confirmed the meeting, stating that Thackeray had invited Fadnavis to his residence near Shivaji Park in Dadar. However, he refrained from providing further details regarding the discussion.

Thackeray’s Recent Criticism of BJP

Thackeray, who had extended support to the BJP during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has recently been vocal in his criticism of the ruling party. Last month, he took a dig at the BJP-led government, alleging that while the party had once vowed to imprison leaders involved in multi-crore scams, those very individuals were later inducted into the state cabinet.

He also questioned the legitimacy of the 2023 Maharashtra Assembly election results, adding fuel to growing political debates in the state.

BJP Responds to Thackeray’s Claims

The BJP swiftly dismissed Thackeray’s allegations, accusing him of spreading misinformation about the party. BJP leaders asserted that their party has never engaged in the politics of negotiation or compromise.

MNS Performance in State Elections

Despite supporting the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, Thackeray’s MNS chose to contest the November 2023 Maharashtra Assembly elections independently but failed to secure a single seat.

Significance of the Meeting

With Maharashtra’s political landscape constantly evolving, the meeting between Fadnavis and Thackeray has fueled speculation about possible new alliances or strategic discussions ahead of upcoming political events.

As political observers analyze the implications of this interaction, it remains to be seen whether it signals a reconciliation or merely a courtesy meeting between the two leaders.