Could CM Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray Be Forming an Alliance in Mumbai?

Mumbai, June 12 (NationPress) In the midst of speculation about a potential coalition between two estranged siblings, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, ahead of the imminent elections for the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made headlines on Thursday by meeting with the chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The discussion, which extended beyond 45 minutes, reportedly revolved around the MNS's participation in the MahaYuti as an alliance partner for the upcoming local and civic elections. This meeting has stirred considerable interest within the state’s political circles.

While the specifics of their conversation remain undisclosed, sources within the state BJP have confirmed that CM Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray convened at a luxurious hotel in the city, although they opted to refrain from commenting on the meeting's outcome. The MNS has yet to provide any confirmation on this encounter.

Proponents of an alliance from both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS were taken by surprise regarding CM Fadnavis’s initiative to engage with Raj Thackeray.

Interestingly, CM Fadnavis is known to share a cordial relationship with Raj Thackeray. Additionally, Eknath Shinde, the Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief, also maintains amicable ties with the MNS leader. Both CM Fadnavis and Shinde are keen on having Raj Thackeray join the MahaYuti to challenge Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and the broader Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition in the BMC elections, as well as across Maharashtra.

Both Fadnavis and Shinde have expressed their support for Raj Thackeray. This partnership is viewed as a strategic move to counter Uddhav Thackeray and appeal to the Marathi populace.

Despite not winning any seats in the previous state Assembly elections, Raj Thackeray commands substantial backing from the Marathi community, a crucial voter base for the Shiv Sena, which was established by the late Balasaheb Thackeray in the 1960s.

In particular, CM Fadnavis has been advocating for raising the flag at the BMC, with the MahaYuti aiming to seize control of India’s wealthiest municipal body, thereby disrupting the dominance of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Furthermore, by integrating Raj Thackeray into the fold, the MahaYuti aspires to maintain its victorious trajectory following a commendable showing in last year's state Assembly elections.

Regarding Raj Thackeray, a faction within his party is convinced that aligning with the BJP-led MahaYuti will aid the party in broadening its influence by effectively leveraging the Hindutva and Marathi Manoos narratives. They argue that Uddhav Thackeray has strayed from the Hindutva principles upheld by Balasaheb Thackeray by forming an alliance with Congress and NCP to gain power in 2019, abandoning the traditional ally, the BJP. Another faction contends that collaborating with Uddhav Thackeray could jeopardize their electoral prospects and alienate Hindutva and Marathi Manoos voters.

This meeting between CM Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray occurred just two days after the state’s urban development department announced plans to draft ward boundaries for 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC, in light of a recent Supreme Court directive mandating the state government to finalize the election process within four months.

Other significant civic bodies include Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Kalyan-Dombivli.

The Urban Development department has instructed Municipal Commissioners to commence drafting ward boundaries, which will then be submitted to the State Election Commission (SEC) for approval. These civic entities are expected to solicit input and objections from the public and hold hearings before finalizing the boundaries, as they currently operate under administrator rule.