Maharashtra’s political sphere, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently visited Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence, ‘Shivtirtha’, in Mumbai. This meeting, which lasted over an hour, has ignited discussions about potential political realignments, especially with the impending local body elections.
The timing of this interaction is noteworthy. Raj Thackeray had undergone hip replacement surgery in June 2022, and this was Fadnavis’s first visit post-surgery. While both leaders have described the meeting as a courtesy call, the political context suggests deeper implications. The MNS has been displaying a proclivity towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in recent times, evident from its support during the Rajya Sabha and Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.
Historically, the MNS, under Raj Thackeray’s leadership, has championed the ‘Marathi Manoos’ (Marathi identity) agenda. However, in a strategic shift, the party adopted a saffron flag featuring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s royal seal in 2020, signaling a move towards a broader Hindutva ideology. This repositioning is perceived as an attempt to occupy the ideological space traditionally held by the Shiv Sena, especially after the latter’s alliance with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
The upcoming local body elections, particularly for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), add another layer of significance to this meeting. The BMC, Asia’s richest civic body, has been under Shiv Sena’s control for over two decades. The BJP, having made substantial gains in the 2017 BMC elections by winning 82 seats, is keen to further consolidate its position. An understanding or alliance with the MNS could bolster the BJP’s prospects, especially in areas where the MNS retains influence.
It’s essential to note that this isn’t the first instance of interactions between Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray. In July 2022, Fadnavis visited Thackeray post-surgery, emphasizing the state’s political tradition of maintaining relations across party lines. He remarked, “Maharashtra has a political tradition where we maintain relations with each other regardless of parties.”
The evolving dynamics between the BJP and MNS are further complicated by internal shifts within the Shiv Sena. Eknath Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022 led to the formation of a new government with BJP’s support, sidelining Uddhav Thackeray. This upheaval has created a fluid political environment, with parties exploring new alliances and strategies.
While the recent meeting has fueled speculation about a formal alliance between the BJP and MNS, both parties have maintained that it was a courtesy visit. Fadnavis stated, “I did not meet MNS chief Raj Thackeray and there is no plan to join hands with him as of now.” He acknowledged the ideological differences between the two parties but did not rule out future collaborations, noting, “If they consider expanding their outlook towards various issues, we may join them.”
Political analysts suggest that the BJP’s engagement with the MNS could be a strategic move to counterbalance the Shiv Sena’s influence, especially in urban centers like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik, where the MNS has a notable presence. The MNS’s shift towards a Hindutva agenda aligns more closely with the BJP’s ideology, potentially paving the way for collaborative efforts in the forthcoming elections.
As Maharashtra approaches the local body elections, the state’s political landscape remains dynamic. The interactions between leaders like Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray underscore the fluid nature of alliances and the strategic calculations at play. Observers will keenly watch how these relationships evolve and influence the electoral outcomes in the months ahead.
