Thackeray and Fadnavis convene following a lighthearted remark about political allegiance shift
In a potential sign of thawing relations, Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena faction known as Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (Sena UBT), and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), held a meeting on July 18, 2025. This gathering, which took place in the ante-chamber of Vidhan Parishad Chairman Ram Shinde at Vidhan Bhavan, was the first time the two leaders had met in months.
The meeting was reportedly centered around the post of the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra assembly. Uddhav Thackeray demanded that the Speaker, Rahul Narvekar, allow the post of the Leader of Opposition for Bhaskar Jadhav, a request that was made during the last session. However, no decision regarding the post has been made yet. The Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, stated that the decision to allow a Leader of the Opposition is the sole prerogative of the Speaker.
During the meeting, Fadnavis also suggested that Thackeray could join the ruling alliance, but the decision ultimately depends on Thackeray himself. Thackeray, in response, stated that Fadnavis' suggestions were made as a joke and should be taken as such.
The political overtures between Thackeray and Fadnavis suggest a shift towards coordination and strategic positioning ahead of elections and ongoing power struggles within the state politics. Though specific details about the Leader of Opposition role were not disclosed, their discussions imply a shift towards cooperation if the political situation demands it.
The meeting also touched upon the three language policy, with Fadnavis suggesting that Thackeray submit a copy of a book titled "Why Hindi should not be imposed" to Narendra Jadhav, the head of the committee formed to review three language policy decisions. However, no new information about the discussion was provided.
The meeting comes after Thackeray responded to an invitation from Fadnavis, signaling potential political realignments ahead of local body elections in Maharashtra. While no formal alliance between Thackeray's faction and the BJP is currently planned, their discussions are seen as preparing the ground for possible future cooperation if the political situation demands it.
The dynamic of considering each other as common adversaries, particularly in light of their shared opposition to the Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena, could influence their approach to key legislative roles, including the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra assembly. As the political landscape in Maharashtra continues to evolve, the discussions between Thackeray and Fadnavis mark a significant development in the state's political sphere.
- The meeting between Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis centered not only around ongoing power struggles within Maharashtra politics but also involved discussions about policy-and-legislation, such as the three language policy and the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra assembly.
- The political dynamics between Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis are indicative of a shifting landscape within Maharashtra's general-news, with the possibility of cooperative strategies being developed ahead of elections, despite their shared opposition to certain factions.
