Key Points
- Surprise Political Meeting: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and former CM Uddhav Thackeray hold a private 20-minute meeting in the presence of Aditya Thackeray, sparking fresh alliance rumors.
- Indirect Alliance Offer: Fadnavis, in the Assembly, signals openness for Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) to join the ruling coalition—just a day before the high-profile meeting.
- No Official Statement: Both BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) remain tight-lipped on the discussions, fueling speculation across Maharashtra’s political circles.
- Context: Three-Language Policy Row: The meeting comes amid sharp criticism by Uddhav of the state’s proposed three-language policy, a major flashpoint in recent debates.
- Changing Political Dynamics: Moves coincide with recent reconciliatory gestures between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, and persistent opposition field coordination talks.
- History of Alliances and Breakups: This development reopens the possibility of renewing the decades-old BJP-Shiv Sena partnership, fractured since the 2019 split.
Mumbai: Maharashtra’s political fault lines trembled anew as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray held a headline-grabbing closed-door meeting late Thursday, barely 24 hours after Fadnavis dropped a major hint that old rivals-turned-foes might find common ground again.
How It Unfolded
- Wednesday: In a pointed speech on the Assembly floor, Fadnavis asserted,
“The BJP won’t sit in opposition until 2029… the doors to power may open by other means.”
His remarks, widely interpreted as an olive branch to Uddhav Thackeray, came as the Shiv Sena (UBT) ramped up attacks on the BJP-Shinde government over its contentious three-language education policy.
- Thursday: Uddhav Thackeray, accompanied by his son and MLA Aditya Thackeray, met Fadnavis in the office of Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde. The meeting, lasting around 20 minutes, was discreet, with both sides declining immediate comment about topics discussed.
Rising Speculation: Is a Political Realignment on the Cards?
The flurry of high-level interactions has triggered an avalanche of speculation:
- Alliance Revival? Observers believe Fadnavis’ overture and the timing of the meeting could signal a thaw in relations between Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP, who ruled Maharashtra together for over two decades before a dramatic split in 2019.
- Opposition or Ruling Bloc? Sources suggest informal talks may be underway to either bring Shiv Sena (UBT) into the ruling coalition or secure their support on key legislative issues, particularly as Uddhav explores opposition unity with MNS and Congress.
Three-Language Policy, Leader of Opposition Role Also in Focus
Sources in political circles claim two primary topics dominated the meeting:
- Three-Language Policy: Uddhav Thackeray has fiercely criticized the state’s move to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools—a stance strongly opposed by Marathi groups and backed by his cousin, Raj Thackeray. The issue is believed to be a testing ground for broader Marathi identity politics.
- Leader of Opposition Post: With shifting alliances and a possible floor test looming, discussions also reportedly touched upon the vacant Leader of Opposition position in the Assembly.
The BJP-Shiv Sena Saga: From Allies to Bitter Rivals
- 1990s-2014: Traditional allies, BJP and Shiv Sena, dominated Maharashtra politics.
- 2014-2019: A rift over seat-sharing saw the allies contest separately, later reconciling.
- 2019 Fallout: Uddhav broke away post-elections to form a government with Congress-NCP, ending a 25-year alliance with BJP.
- 2022 Split: Eknath Shinde’s rebellion toppled the Uddhav-led government, with Fadnavis returning as Deputy CM alongside CM Shinde.
- 2025: After years of acrimony, the door to reunion seems ajar.
Uddhav-Raj Thackeray Rapprochement: Is Maha Vikas Aghadi Realigning?
Earlier in July, the Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj met publicly for the first time in 20 years to protest the state’s language policy, underlining the rapidly shifting landscape of opposition coordination in Maharashtra.
What’s Next?
- Both parties have kept official silence, intensifying speculation about ongoing backchannel diplomacy.
- With the Assembly’s Leader of Opposition post and education policy in the spotlight, observers believe any rapprochement could reshape the balance of power in Maharashtra ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.
Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray’s surprise meeting has turbocharged political chatter about a possible BJP-Shiv Sena (UBT) reconciliation. While formal announcements are awaited, Maharashtra’s political weather just turned unpredictable again.
