In a dramatic twist to Maharashtra’s political landscape, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Mumbai's Taj Lands End hotel on Thursday, triggering intense speculation just as talks of a possible alliance between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) gained traction.

The unannounced meeting took place in the morning when Raj Thackeray was seen entering the Bandra hotel, followed by the unexpected arrival of CM Fadnavis around 20 minutes later. Notably, the hotel was not listed on the Chief Minister's official schedule. The sudden meeting has sparked conversations across political circles, with many interpreting it as a strategic intervention aimed at derailing the anticipated Raj-Uddhav alliance ahead of the crucial Mumbai civic elections.

According to political observers, the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance, if formalized, could pose a formidable challenge to the BJP in the BMC polls. The meeting is now being seen as an attempt by Fadnavis to preempt any such unification of opposition forces in the city.

Commenting on the development, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar told ABP Majha, “If the public was beginning to believe that the Thackeray brothers might come together and Raj Thackeray suddenly meets Devendra Fadnavis, it raises questions. Was all the alliance talk just a political smokescreen? Will Raj’s credibility suffer because of this?”

In recent weeks, senior leaders from both MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) had hinted at a willingness to explore a pre-poll alliance. The possibility of cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reuniting had gained serious political momentum, signaling a potential shift in Mumbai’s electoral dynamics.