Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday firmly rejected Aaditya Thackeray’s claim that 22 MLAs from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are preparing to join the BJP. Speaking to reporters after the Winter Assembly session in Nagpur, Fadnavis described the allegation as “baseless” and politically manufactured.
The row began earlier in the day when Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray claimed that a substantial group of Shinde-camp legislators were in touch with the BJP. The remark came amid heightened political activity in Maharashtra ahead of the forthcoming local body elections, during which the BJP has attracted defectors from multiple parties. The Shinde faction, in particular, has reportedly seen increased discontent, with several of its ministers recently skipping a cabinet meeting. Shinde’s sudden visit to Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah further intensified speculation.
Fadnavis, however, rubbished any suggestion of internal poaching within the Mahayuti alliance. “If that is the case, then tomorrow anyone could claim that Aaditya Thackeray’s 20 MLAs are in talks with the BJP. Simply making a statement doesn’t make it true,” he said.
Calling the allegation illogical, the Chief Minister added: “Why would we want to take MLAs from the Shinde Sena? They are already our allies. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena is our partner. What purpose would it serve to pull their MLAs to our side? We do not practise that kind of politics.”
He further emphasised that the BJP’s priority was strengthening the coalition, not destabilising it. “A stronger Shiv Sena strengthens the Mahayuti. We stand firmly with them, and you will see our alliance grow even stronger in the future,” Fadnavis said.
