Maharashtra Politics in Flux: Key Leaders Engage in High-Profile Delhi Meetings

Maharashtra’s political landscape is witnessing significant shifts. A series of important political events unfolded in Delhi within a single day, prompting intense scrutiny of their political ramifications. Uddhav Thackeray, a prominent figure in the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), participated in the India coalition meeting in Delhi and delivered a strong critique of the central government. Simultaneously, Supriya Sule, a senior leader from his ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same day. The timing of Supriya Sule’s meeting with the Prime Minister is a subject of considerable discussion in Delhi’s political circles, especially since it occurred instead of her participation in the India coalition meeting led by Rahul Gandhi. Analysts perceive this as a “symbolic move.” Despite this, Supriya Sule later attended Rahul Gandhi’s dinner. Additionally, Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha MP from Uddhav Thackeray’s party, made a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, which, although described as a formal meeting, is viewed as noteworthy given the context. Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, was also in Delhi. He met with the Prime Minister, accompanied by his family, and engaged in a special discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the presence of all MPs. Sources suggest that Shinde also expressed his concerns regarding the state’s “political instability.” Reports of disagreements between Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have emerged recently. Consequently, Shinde’s visit to Delhi, including the family visit to the Prime Minister, is sparking speculation. Furthermore, Supriya Sule, a leader of the Nationalist Congress (Sharad Pawar faction), has previously demonstrated a conciliatory approach towards the central government. In the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, she expressed sympathy for the central government’s efforts. Sharad Pawar himself has, on several occasions, appeared to offer indirect cooperation to the central government. The simultaneous actions of Uddhav Thackeray’s criticism of the central government and Supriya Sule’s meeting with the Prime Minister raise the question of whether the Maha Vikas Aghadi is facing internal discord. The India coalition is also experiencing unrest due to these developments. According to sources, several leaders have privately expressed their dissatisfaction with the timing. Political analysts believe that the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s unity in Maharashtra is weakening. The collective events – Uddhav Thackeray’s criticism, Supriya Sule’s meeting with the PM, Shinde’s family visit, and Priyanka Chaturvedi’s courtesy call – suggest that Maharashtra’s political situation is more volatile than it seems, posing the question of the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s true cohesion and the potential for new political realignments in the forthcoming elections.