Raj Thackeray came into politics by holding the finger of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Raj Thackeray was also seen as a political heir of Balasaheb, but Raj Thackeray separated from Shiv Sena after Uddhav Thackeray became active. After forming his party in the name of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Raj Thackeray’s political success was like water bubbles. MNS could win only one seat in the 2014 and 2019 elections and even in 2024, the account could not be opened.
Raj Thackeray, who has fully failed in the politics of Maharashtra, is struggling to save his party’s political existence. Even after this, whenever Raj Thackeray meets the leader of another party, the political heat of Maharashtra increases the heat. From CM Devendra Fadnavis to Shivesna (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to meet Raj Thackeray or met Eknath Shinde on Tuesday. After all, why does the political meeting with Raj Thackeray become important in the politics of Maharashtra?
Eknath Shinde met Raj Thackeray
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde met Raj Thackeray on Tuesday at his residence ‘Shivatirtha’ in Dadar. Shinde had his first meeting with Raj Thackeray after the 2024 assembly elections. Shinde said that on the invitation of MNS president Raj Thackeray, a meal was held at his residence and had informal discussion. During this time leaders of both parties were present. Describing the meeting with Raj Thackeray, Shinde said that we both have been working together since the time of Balasaheb Thackeray. We could not meet for some reasons. You know the reason for this. But now we can talk together anytime.
Shinde’s meeting with Raj Thackeray means
Eknath Shinde is describing his meeting with Raj Thackeray as formal and is talking about not removing political meaning, but whenever the leaders meet in politics, they have a political motive. The meeting of Raj Thackeray and Eknath Shinde is also important because BMC elections are to be held this year. In the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, Shinde had fielded his leader Sarvankar against Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray in Mahim seat and Uddhav Thackeray’s candidate Mahesh Samvat managed to win and Amit Thackeray got defeated.
Amit Thackeray’s election defeat gave a big blow to Raj Thackeray’s politics. That is why after the election results, there was a discussion in the political corridor that there was a rift between Raj Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. It was being said that Raj Thackeray is angry with Eknath Shinde not withdrawing his party candidate in Mahim seat. Eknath Shinde is being seen as an exercise to remove all his closer grip before the Maharashtra civic elections. After the meeting of Raj Thackeray and Shinde, there is also talk of an alliance between the two leaders.
Uddhav and Fadnavis also met Raj Thackeray
After the Maharashtra assembly elections, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have met about four times. However, these meetings have taken place in family programs or some private atmosphere, but its political meanings were being taken out. The politics of the state has changed due to Maharashtra assembly elections. Since the assembly elections, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray’s politics has started to crisis.
Eknath Shinde has been successful in winning the battle of the real versus fake of Shiv Sena, due to which the challenge has arisen for Uddhav Thackeray to save his politics. At the same time, Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray could not save his seat, so MNS could not even open his account. In this way, the politics of both Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, considered to be the political heir of Balasaheb Thackeray, is being questioned. In such a situation, the meeting of the Thackeray brothers was also seen from a political perspective and there was also speculation about coming with both.
At the same time, since taking charge of power in Maharashtra, there have been many meetings between CM Devendra Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray. Fadnavis met Raj Thackeray when Eknath Shinde was angry. During this time, the issues between the two leaders were not disclosed, but Fadnavis had said that the meeting was only Maitrapura. Raj Thackeray is a close friend, so he had a breakfast and good talk. Its political meaning should not be extracted. The meeting of Raj Thackeray and Fadnavis was seen linked to the BJP and MNS alliance in the BMC elections.
Why is Raj Thackeray’s politics important?
In 2005, when Raj Thackeray left the Shiv Sena and formed his separate party, he has been constantly struggling to establish his political identity. Despite repeated changing the ideology of the party, the data never supported him. Raj Thackeray has moved on the agenda of Hindutva from Marathi Asmita, but could not succeed. Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray may not win his first election, but MNS has his hold in Mumbai’s politics. Not only Mumbai, MNS has a significant influence in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar areas of Maharashtra.
Raj Thackeray may not achieve anything by contesting elections alone, but when a party gets the support, he has the power to feed a big political. This is the reason that whenever the leader of someone’s second party meets Raj Thackeray, it increases political heat. If Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are one forgetting all their grievances and then Shiv Sena can achieve its old place.
Raj Thackeray was once seen as a political heir of Balasaheb. Raj Thackeray not only looked like Balasaheb but his personality has an aggression like Balasaheb, the style of speech is exactly like Balasaheb. Like Balasaheb, Raj Thackeray was also cartoonist. If the Thackeray brothers are one, then the lost Thackeray brand can come back to him again. At the same time, if Raj Thackeray comes with Eknath Shinde, then Uddhav Thackeray’s politics can end completely and his dominance on BMC can be maintained. Similarly, Raj Thackeray can prove to be very important for BJP.
The real fight is of BMC’s possession
Raj Thackeray has to occupy BMC on the pretext. After the assembly elections, all eyes are now on the election of BMC of Mumbai. After the BJP took power in Maharashtra, now there is an exercise to create its political dominance in Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray currently has the influence of Shiv Sena (UBT) on BMC, which is not just to weaken but CM Fadnavis is doing his name. The challenge has arisen for Uddhav Thackeray to save his last fort BMC in the midst of the changed political equation. In such a situation, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena is being considered as a bet to maintain his dominance on BMC by joining hands with Raj Thackeray’s MNS.
At the same time, Shiv Sena of Eknath Shinde is currently included in the BJP -led Mahayuti government. Eknath Shinde was the Chief Minister in the previous Mahayuti government, while in the new government formed after the election, he had to be satisfied with the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Devendra Fadnavis of BJP became CM. In such a situation, Shinde wants to bring his Shiv Sena to power of BMC, so that he can reduce the disappointment of not making CM. In such a situation, Shinde’s meeting with Raj Thackeray is being seen. In such a situation, it is to be seen whether Raj Thackeray goes on political bets?