Mumbai: Post-Poll Maneuvering Kicks Off Ahead of Maharashtra Elections
Even before the voting begins, political maneuvering has already ignited in Maharashtra, with Raj Thackeray making a bold announcement about the future of the state’s political landscape. Raj, the leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), declared that his party would be a part of the next BJP-led Maha Yuti government, which, he emphasized, would be headed by a chief minister from the BJP.
Raj’s statement followed swiftly after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed full support for Raj’s son, Amit Thackeray, in the Mahim seat of Mumbai. Fadnavis praised Amit for his unwavering support of the NDA during the previous Lok Sabha elections, further solidifying the Thackeray family’s influence within Maharashtra’s political circles.
A buzz was created on social media when an Instagram post showed Fadnavis walking alongside Raj, fueling speculations about the growing political ties between the BJP and MNS. The two political figures later appeared separately on an election special program aired by a Marathi news channel, a day after the nomination process concluded, signaling the importance of these strategic discussions.
Fadnavis, a former two-time Chief Minister and ex-Leader of the Opposition, has maintained a cordial relationship with Raj Thackeray over the past five years. Raj, the charismatic nephew of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, has often been seen as a key figure in the state’s political landscape, despite being an estranged cousin of Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT).
During the election program, Fadnavis shared that the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena had initially agreed to support Amit’s candidacy in Mahim. However, the Shiv Sena later pushed for their sitting MLA, Sada Sarvankar, to contest, aiming to prevent votes from shifting toward Uddhav Thackeray’s faction. Despite these challenges, Fadnavis remained optimistic, stating, “When we (leaders of Maha Yuti) meet, we will discuss and try to find a solution.”
The Mahim constituency is of historic significance, with the iconic Shivaji Park in Dadar playing a crucial role in the history of Shiv Sena since its inception in 1966. It was also where Raj Thackeray established the MNS in 2006, after parting ways with Shiv Sena over differences with Uddhav Thackeray.
Raj, confident about the prospects of the Maha Yuti alliance, expressed optimism regarding the election outcome. He stated, “It seems the government will be formed by Maha Yuti… Three months ago, the situation was different. However, the Haryana poll results have provided a boost… it’s still not that easy.” When asked about the potential Chief Minister, Raj indicated, “It appears the Chief Minister will be from the BJP, along with us.”
This early post-poll maneuvering points to a shifting political landscape in Maharashtra, with alliances forming and new political strategies being developed ahead of the crucial elections. As both the BJP and MNS look to solidify their hold on power, the coming weeks will see intense political negotiations and campaigns, with each party hoping to gain the upper hand in the race for the Chief Minister’s office.