Nationalist Congress Party (SCP)'s Prashant Jagtap says "No surprise" if Thackeray-Fadnavis reunite after Aaditya meets CM

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 20 (ANI): Speculation over a possible change in the political landscape of Maharashtra continues to grow after political rivals Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a Mumbai hotel recently.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Prashant Jagtap has said that a reunification of Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena's (UBT) faction will be of 'no surprise' to Maharashtra, saying that similar developments have been happening in the state since 2019.
The NCP (SCP) Pune city president, Prashant Jagtap took a swipe at the BJP and the UBT, saying, "Anything can happen in Maharashtra. We've already witnessed several unexpected developments after 2019. If they decide to reunite, it won't be shocking for the people of Maharashtra."
However, Jagtap also issued a word of caution, saying that he hopes the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction stays with the Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA), and doing so otherwise would be a betrayal to the people.
"I truly hope Shiv Sena (UBT) does not join hands with BJP again. The voters backed MVA for its ideology and progressive stance. Reuniting with BJP would be a betrayal of that mandate," he added.
The senior NCP (SCP) leader's remarks come after UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray met with CM Fadnavis at Mumbai's Sofital Hotel on July 19, a few days after Uddhav Thackeray, UBT chief and father of Aadtiya Thackeray, met with CM Fadnavis at the office of Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde. Notably, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also has said that ego clashes and disagreement over seat sharing led to the Maha Vikas Agadhi's defeat in the assembly polls.
Currently, Shiv Sena (UBT) is in the opposition alliance of Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA), with Congress and NCP(SCP) as its partners. Meanwhile, the Mahayuti alliance leads the Maharashtra government, comprising of BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar).
The meeting between the political rivals has sparked intense debate, as recently during the Assembly Session Maharashtra CM, on lighter note, told Uddhav Thackeray to come to the side of the government.
Regarding Shiv Sena (UBT) chief's comments on the rift between alliance partners, he said that in-fighting over seat sharing led to the MVA's defeat in the 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections, despite having an impressive performance in the Lok Sabha polls. During an interview with the party's mouthpiece, Saamana, Thackeray said that individual party interests led to confusion, weak messaging and ultimately the defeat of the party.
The MVA had a dismal performance in the 2024 assembly election, winning only 46 seats. UBT is the largest party in the MVA alliance with just 20 seats. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising of BJP, NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), had swept the assembly polls by winning a total of 230 out of 288 seats.
This is also not the first time the state would see a possible shift between alliances and leaders. In 2022 the Shiv Sena party itself split into two, after Eknath Shinde broke away to ally with the BJP and became the Chief Minister. The Shiv Sena and BJP have also allied previously after 2014 to form the government in the state. (ANI)