New Political Alignments Emerging in Maharashtra? Uddhav Thackeray at Rahul Gandhi’s Dinner, Supriya Sule Meets PM Modi

Political developments in Maharashtra are intensifying. Several significant political events occurred in Delhi on the same day, the political implications of which are now being deeply examined. On one hand, Uddhav Thackeray, a key leader of the Maha Vikas Aghadi and head of Shiv Sena (UBT), participated in the India coalition meeting in Delhi and strongly criticized the central government. On the other hand, Supriya Sule, a senior leader of his ally party, the Nationalist Congress (Sharad Pawar faction), met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same day. Discussions are now rife in Delhi’s political circles regarding the timing of this meeting, especially since Supriya Sule was scheduled to attend the India coalition meeting called by Rahul Gandhi. Instead, she met with PM Modi in the afternoon, which political analysts consider a “symbolic move.” However, Supriya Sule also attended Rahul Gandhi’s dinner. Furthermore, Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha MP from Uddhav Thackeray’s party, also paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister. Although it was described as a formal meeting, it is not considered ordinary, given the timing and the environment. Amidst these developments, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also in Delhi. He met with the Prime Minister along with his entire family and also had a special conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in front of all the MPs. Sources suggest that during this time, Shinde also discussed the “political unrest” in the state. In recent times, reports of differences between Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have repeatedly surfaced. In such a situation, Shinde’s Delhi visit and this family visit to the Prime Minister are raising many questions in political circles. Nationalist Congress (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule has previously shown a soft stance towards the central government. Recently, after the terror attack in Pahalgam, she expressed sympathy towards the center. On the other hand, Sharad Pawar has also indirectly appeared to cooperate with the central government several times. Now, when Uddhav Thackeray is openly attacking the central government and his ally Supriya Sule is meeting the Prime Minister, the question is inevitable: Is everything alright in the Maha Vikas Aghadi? After these events, there is also a stir within the India coalition. According to sources, many leaders have privately expressed their displeasure with the timing. Political experts believe that the unity of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra is no longer the same. The attack on the central government by Uddhav Thackeray on the same day, Supriya Sule’s meeting with the PM, Shinde’s meeting with his family, Priyanka Chaturvedi’s courtesy visit — all these indicate that the politics of Maharashtra is as turbulent internally as it appears calm on the surface. Now the biggest question is: Is the Maha Vikas Aghadi really united? Or are new political lines being drawn, which will create a new equation in the upcoming elections?