Two days after meeting Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde at his official residence Nandanvan in Thane, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said he would be meeting CM Devendra Fadnavis, stressing the need for dialogue between political parties in the larger interest of the state.
आपल्याकडे आता पूर्वीसारखं राजकारण राहिलेलं नाही. आम्हाला जर काही सांगायचं असेल काही चांगल्या गोष्टी करून घ्यायच्या असतील, तर भेट घ्यायला नको का ? उद्या मी मुख्यमंत्र्यांनाही भेटेन.
– मा. राजसाहेब ठाकरे pic.twitter.com/r7vYISGbFn
— MNS Adhikrut – मनसे अधिकृत (@mnsadhikrut) February 20, 2026
Amid political speculation over his recent meeting with Shinde and his proposed meeting with the CM, Thackeray said politics in Maharashtra has changed and that constructive engagement should not be viewed negatively.
“You no longer have the kind of politics you used to. If we have something to say, if there are some good things that need to be done, shouldn’t we meet?” he said, adding that he would meet the CM on Saturday.
Raising concerns over urban planning and migration, Thackeray questioned the unchecked growth of cities and the strain on infrastructure.
“There is a city. How many people can live in that city? Are we going to give it any shape or form? Anyone can go anywhere and start living in any city. This is not possible,” he said.
The MNS chief said such issues should be discussed jointly by the state and Central governments, warning that cities could face serious consequences if growth remains unregulated.
Referring to the political climate in Maharashtra, Thackeray said there was earlier a culture of engagement after elections, but that practice has faded. He urged both the ruling party and the opposition to adopt a balanced approach.
“The government should correct itself where it is wrong. Tomorrow we may be in the government; we should do the same,” he said, adding that governance should ultimately benefit the people of the state.
On Wednesday, Thackeray had paid a courtesy visit to Shinde at the latter’s Nandanvan residence in Thane. According to Shinde’s office, the two leaders discussed various issues in what was their first meeting after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
