​

Two days after his meeting with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde triggered political speculation, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray clarified that not every interaction with leaders from the ruling party should be viewed through a political lens.

Irked by the speculative buzz in political circles over his meeting with the Shiv Sena leader, the MNS chief said that meetings with leaders from the ruling party are sometimes held to discuss public and administrative matters, and should not automatically be seen as signals of alliances or political realignments.

According to media reports and MNS leaders, Raj met Shinde, who holds the Urban Development portfolio, to discuss issues related to traffic congestion, illegal parking, and the rise of unauthorised, haphazard constructions in Mumbai. “There is nothing wrong with meeting those running the government. After all, to address citizens’ issues, one has to meet ministers and political leaders. Tomorrow, if required, I may even meet the chief minister,” Raj clarified, while asserting that merely constructing roads, bridges, and flyovers does not mean development.

Feb 18
Day Raj Thackeray met Eknath Shinde in Thane

Meeting causes speculation

MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his residence in Thane. This was the first time the two leaders met after the civic poll results. The meeting triggered political speculation, especially after MNS corporators extended their support to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.

Why meeting raised questions

MNS chief Raj Thackeray had contested the civic polls in alliance with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT). However, after the results were declared, the MNS extended support to Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation and Nashik. Since Shinde’s Sena is seen as the main rival of Sena (UBT), Raj’s decision to back Shinde came as a surprise to political circles and didn’t go down well with Uddhav.

Similar claims last year

After a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in 2025, Raj Thackeray had made similar claims, asserting that he met with the CM over civic issues, including two-wheeler riders not following traffic rules, and parking issues in Mumbai, especially in Dadar.