Fadnavis Predicts “Biggest Defeat” for Raj Thackeray Over MNS–Uddhav Sena Alliance

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday launched a sharp attack on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, predicting that the ongoing alliance between the MNS and the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray would result in Raj Thackeray suffering the biggest political defeat of his career.

Speaking to the media in the backdrop of the upcoming municipal corporation elections, Fadnavis described the tie-up with the Uddhav faction as the MNS’s biggest political blunder.

Fadnavis said that the alliance would cause maximum damage to the MNS and asserted that Raj Thackeray would not merely lose the election but would be remembered in political history as having suffered the most significant defeat. He claimed that the benefit of the alliance would go entirely to Uddhav Thackeray, while Raj Thackeray would gain nothing from it. He urged people to wait for the results, stating that the outcome would validate his prediction.

Clarifying his personal equation with Raj Thackeray, the Chief Minister said that despite political differences, their personal relationship remained cordial. He stated that the BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde were firm allies and that there was no inclination to support the MNS. However, he added that he and Raj Thackeray were good friends and that the current exchange of criticism was purely political due to the election campaign. Fadnavis said that after January 16, once the results are declared, they would sit together for tea again, emphasising that political rivalry should not be mistaken for personal enmity.

Fadnavis also criticised Uddhav Thackeray, stating that while one might inherit property by birth, ideological legacy cannot be inherited. He alleged that Uddhav Thackeray had failed to carry forward the ideological legacy he received. Referring to the reunion of Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief Minister said it no longer held any political meaning. He remarked that had the Shiv Sena and MNS come together in 2009, the political situation today might have been different, but now both leaders were left without a substantial voter base.

Reiterating his confidence, Fadnavis said he was making a clear and firm prediction that Raj Thackeray would face his biggest defeat after this election. He maintained that the alliance would only strengthen Uddhav Thackeray politically, while Raj Thackeray would emerge as the main loser.

The Chief Minister further said that despite deep political conflicts, he continues to speak to Uddhav Thackeray whenever they meet, reflecting Maharashtra’s political culture where rivals are not treated as enemies. He said his opposition was to their ideology and functioning, not personal relations, and asserted that his objective remained to defeat them politically and retain power.

Referring to the political developments after 2019, Fadnavis said the BJP had faced betrayal at that time, following which Eknath Shinde joined hands with the party. He said the Mahayuti was further strengthened by bringing Ajit Pawar on board, which, according to him, changed the direction of Maharashtra politics and served as a response to the events of 2019.

Fadnavis accused the Thackeray brothers of adopting a deliberate strategy in Mumbai of creating a controversy every morning and ensuring that it dominated discussions throughout the day, thereby diverting attention away from development issues. He claimed that they avoided debate on development because they would have no answers if elections were fought on those grounds.

The Chief Minister also remarked that the opposition lacked the mindset to sit outside power or struggle on the streets. He alleged that their leaders preferred to remain indoors rather than engage in mass movements, which, he said, had left even their own workers disappointed and disillusioned.