Left to right: NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray during a protest against the alleged Election Commission’s inaction on electoral roll registration, in Mumbai on November 1, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Amid tension and tussle within Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra over the likelihood of changes in alliance combinations, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar refrained from commenting on the issue till he speaks with his local leaders.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray’s party leaders expressed confidence that he will mediate between Congress and Sena to bring Raj Thackeray’s MNS on board.
“Local body elections happen on the ground level. The decisions for this are taken at the local level. I cannot say anything on the issue till I speak with my local leaders. I have called for their meeting tomorrow (Saturday). We will discuss and will then decide,” Mr. Pawar told The Hindu on Friday evening (November 21, 2025).
He has called for a meeting of all the Mumbai leaders of NCP SP at YB Chavan centre. The meeting has been called three days after a Congress delegation met him to seek an alliance for the upcoming local body elections, amid speculations of a rift within MVA over the growing proximity between the Thackeray cousins – Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.
Raj Thackeray is not a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, neither has he made a public statement about his stance on the alliance. Uddhav Thackeray’s party is a part of the MVA, but wants to align with Raj Thackeray for the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, a senior Shiv Sena UBT leader told The Hindu that the party was in talks with the Congress and will speak with the high command if need be. But another party leader expressed confidence that Sharad Pawar will play a pivotal role in bringing everyone together.
“We are confident that Pawar saaheb will mediate and will make sure to speak with the Congress leadership to convince them. We believe that everyone should fight together for the upcoming elections, if we want to defeat the BJP,” a leader said on condition of anonymity.
MNS was seen sharing stage with the MVA leaders a few weeks ago during a protest against the alleged irregularities in the voters’ lists.
MNS has stayed away from jumping into the current controversy. “We have nothing to do with who speaks with whom. To us, it does not matter what Sharad Pawar says, what Varsha Gaikwad says, what Varsha Gaikwad tells SHarad Pawar. Our party runs on the decision of Raj saaheb Thackeray. And he will take a call on our party when he deems fit,” MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said.
Published – November 22, 2025 08:03 am IST
