Aaditya Thackeray meets Rahul Gandhi amid tensions in MVA alliance
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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Thursday, amid growing speculation of discord within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.
The meeting comes in the wake of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar honouring Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.
According to sources, Thackeray is also expected to meet Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal later in the day. The discussions with Gandhi reportedly focused on concerns regarding the functioning of the MVA alliance and allegations of irregularities in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant confirmed the meetings, stating, “Aaditya ji met Rahul Gandhi and will also meet Arvind Kejriwal. He will later hold discussions with Shiv Sena MPs. These are courtesy visits among allies. Regarding Sharad Pawar honouring Eknath Shinde, we have already expressed our stance.”
The controversy erupted after Pawar felicitated Shinde with the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award on Tuesday, recognising his leadership. This took place ahead of the All-India Marathi Literature Conference, scheduled for February 21 in Delhi. The move led to sharp criticism from the Shiv Sena (UBT), marking the first instance of direct opposition to Pawar since the formation of the MVA in 2019.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut strongly condemned Pawar’s action, accusing him of betraying the party’s principles. “We never expected Pawar Saheb to go this far. He has honoured a ‘traitor’ who tried to dismantle Maharashtra’s leadership. Felicitating Shinde is equivalent to honouring Home Minister Amit Shah. Both played a role in breaking the MVA government and dismantling the party built by Balasaheb Thackeray. This is a deep insult to Maharashtra and the Marathi Manoos,” Raut stated.
Meanwhile, at the event, Pawar appeared to send a message to the BJP by praising Shinde’s leadership between 2022 and 2024, highlighting his contributions to urban development in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane.
The developments have added to tensions within the MVA, raising questions about the alliance’s internal stability.