Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray on 19 July 2025 in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) has created a stir in political circles at the same time at the Sofite Hotel. The news of the two leaders staying in the hotel for three hours simultaneously gave air to the alliance speculation, although the two sides refused to meet. According to BJP sources and statements by Shiv Sena (UBT), Fadnavis and Aditya were there for separate programs. Fadnavis was involved in a private event, while Aditya was with friends. The mystery deepened after the two came out of the separate gate.
The incident occurred in the backdrop of recent meetings of Uddhav Thackeray and Fadnavis. On July 17, Uddhav had a 20 -minute meeting with Fadnavis in the room of the Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde with Aditya, which Aditya described the discussion on Marathi language issues. The meeting was followed by Fadnavis after a funny resolution of 16 July, in which he invited Uddhav to join the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Fadnavis had said, “Uddhav ji, we are not going to go to opposition till 2029, but you can come with us.” Uddhav dismissed it as a joke, but these incidents intensified the discussion of possible reconciliation between BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Along with this, reconciliation between Uddhav and his cousin Raj Thackeray also stressed speculation. On 5 July, both of them participated in a joint rally in Mumbai for Marathi Gaurav, where Raj credited Fadnavis for this unity. The rally was organized by the Maharashtra government as a victory to withdraw the decision to make Hindi a third language in schools. However, Raj later rejected the formal alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT).
These meetings are important for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, where the unity of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS or reconciliation with BJP can change the equation. On July 19, Fadnavis stressed his stability, saying, “We are stable,” and showed solidarity with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
