August 22, 2025: A day after a Shiv Sena (UBT)–Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) panel was defeated in the BEST employees’ credit cooperative society elections, MNS chief Raj Thackeray met deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence on Thursday. The meeting fuelled speculation of a possible political rapprochement between the Thackeray cousins.
Raj, however, dismissed political interpretations, telling reporters at his Dadar residence that he had gone to submit a proposal to address Mumbai’s worsening parking crisis. His plan, he explained, includes constructing parking lots beneath maidans. He also used the opportunity to criticise the government over deteriorating roads, the lack of urban planning, and the decision to allocate land to the Adani Group for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. “Instead of constantly talking about ‘urban Naxals’, they should focus on urban planning,” he remarked.
The MNS leader also condemned opposition to banning pigeon-feeding spots in the city. “Are people important or pigeons? This is being made into a political issue while genuine concerns are ignored,” he said.
Raj further warned that unchecked redevelopment in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik and other cities was creating dangerous imbalances. “A plot that once housed 50 people now accommodates 500. Population, cars and traffic are rising, and everything is spilling onto the streets. Roads and space are limited, and if solutions are not found, the situation will worsen. No one is addressing these basics,” he said.
Asked about the defeat of the Sena (UBT)–MNS panel in the BEST cooperative elections, Raj initially claimed ignorance before dismissing the contest as a minor patpedhi election. Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) sought to downplay his meeting with Fadnavis. Party deputy leader Sushama Andhare said, “The MNS is a separate party. We cannot dictate whom they meet. The bond between Uddhav saheb and Raj saheb rests on trust, not political speculation.”
Source: Hindustan Times
