Fadnavis Dismisses Thackeray Reunion as Political Survival Tactic, Reaffirms MahaYuti’s Development Agenda

Mumbai, Dec 2025 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday launched a sharp and sustained attack on the renewed political bonhomie between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, terming their alliance an act of desperation driven by political insecurity rather than shared ideology or public interest.

Addressing the media, CM Fadnavis ridiculed the intense publicity surrounding the reunion, saying it was being exaggerated far beyond its actual political significance. Drawing a sarcastic comparison, he remarked that the coverage made it appear as though global adversaries had suddenly reconciled. According to him, the development was being projected as historic when, in reality, it amounted to “much ado about nothing.”

The Chief Minister asserted that the coming together of the two leaders was rooted in fear and a struggle for relevance. “This is not ideology-based politics; it is pure opportunism. Both leaders have lost their political base and are now fighting to keep their parties alive,” he said. He maintained that such alliances, formed solely for survival, fail to inspire public confidence.

CM Fadnavis said he had no personal objections to their reunion and even extended formal good wishes, but cautioned against assuming that it would alter Maharashtra’s political landscape. He accused both leaders of having a track record marred by corruption and self-interest, alleging that their politics had harmed Mumbai’s social fabric. “They pushed the Marathi Manoos out of Mumbai. Today, neither Marathi nor non-Marathi citizens stand with them. They do not represent all of Mumbai or the pride of Maharashtra,” he said, adding that their political arrogance had alienated the very people they claimed to champion.

Responding sharply to Raj Thackeray’s recent statements, Fadnavis reaffirmed his ideological position, stating that his commitment to Hindutva was unwavering. “I was born a Hindutvawadi and will remain one till my last breath. We are not those who change positions daily for votes,” he said, underscoring what he described as ideological consistency within the BJP-led MahaYuti alliance.

He dismissed the joint press conference of the Thackeray cousins as an overblown event, using the popular idiom “Khoda Pahad Nikla Chuha” to describe it. According to him, the alliance was merely a tactical move by two leaders struggling to preserve their electoral existence rather than a meaningful political realignment.

CM Fadnavis further stated that emotional speeches and symbolic gestures would no longer sway Mumbai’s voters. He expressed confidence that the city’s electorate would stand firmly with the MahaYuti alliance, which, he said, represents development, long-term vision, and inclusive growth. He highlighted the government’s initiatives to provide housing for Marathi people within Mumbai itself as evidence of its commitment to the city’s future.

Targeting Uddhav Thackeray more directly, Fadnavis accused him of abandoning the original ideology of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. He also took a swipe at what he termed “performative politics,” stating that genuine Hindutva does not require outward symbolism or political theatrics to gain votes.

Looking ahead to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Chief Minister expressed strong confidence that the MahaYuti would contest and win on the plank of development. He said voters would not be influenced by emotional appeals but would instead judge parties based on governance records. He alleged that the previous BMC regime was responsible for 25 years of misrule and corruption and would have to answer for issues such as housing for Marathi residents and the poor condition of the Mithi River.

Fadnavis claimed that the recent performance of the MahaYuti in local body elections was only a preview of what was to come in the BMC polls. “Mumbaikars want public servants, not rulers. They want accountability, not arrogance,” he said, reiterating that citizens had moved away from the Thackerays due to ego-driven and appeasement-based politics.

Senior ministers Ashish Shelar and Chandrashekhar Bawankule echoed similar views, pointing to the two-decade-long rivalry between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray and recalling Raj Thackeray’s past aggressive criticism of the Shiv Sena leadership. They described the reunion as a clear “marriage of convenience” with no ideological foundation.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis informed that seat-sharing talks within the MahaYuti alliance were in their final stages and that an official announcement would be made soon.

On infrastructure development, the Chief Minister also spoke about the Navi Mumbai International Airport, set to become operational on Thursday. He said a proposal to name the airport after Loknete D.B. Patil had been forwarded to the Centre and was under active consideration. “I have discussed this with central leaders, including the Prime Minister. The airport will soon be named DB Patil Airport,” he said.

Team Maverick.