Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a scathing critique against Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction on Friday, December 26, 2025, accusing it of being motivated by a sheer 'greed for power.' His pointed remarks came in the wake of the recent political reunion between Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, ahead of crucial civic elections.
The Core Accusation: Power Over Principle
Speaking to the media after offering prayers at Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Darbar in Mumbai on Veer Bal Diwas, Fadnavis did not mince words. He asserted that the 'true character' of Uddhav Thackeray and his party had been thoroughly exposed by their past political decisions. The Chief Minister's attack was a direct reference to the pivotal events of 2019 when Uddhav Thackeray broke the Shiv Sena's long-standing alliance with the BJP to join hands with the Congress and the NCP, forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and becoming the Chief Minister.
'The people will see through your real nature and objective of politics,' Fadnavis stated. He alleged that Uddhav Thackeray's faction revealed its true face by handing over the state to allies whose ideologies were contrary to their original stance, all in pursuit of power.
Appeasement Politics and Public Judgment
Fadnavis sharpened his attack by accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) of indulging in appeasement politics. 'If they ally with people who engage in anti-national, anti-religion and anti-humanity activities merely for vote appeasement, then the public will give them a befitting response,' he warned. The CM contrasted this approach with his government's performance, expressing full confidence that the BJP-led 'Mahayuti' alliance would triumph in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls based on its development agenda.
'People will judge us through our work,' Fadnavis emphasized, adding that unfortunately, some parties' sole concern remains the greed for power, overshadowing any commitment to ideology or public service.
Political Context: The Thackeray Reunion
The timing of Fadnavis's comments is significant. They follow the formal announcement of an alliance between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). This political reconciliation within the Thackeray family is seen as a strategic move to consolidate Marathi vote share and present a united front against the BJP in the impending civic body elections, especially in Mumbai. Fadnavis's remarks are interpreted as an attempt to frame this new alliance as another opportunistic move, driven by the same 'greed for power' he accused them of in 2019.
The political landscape of Maharashtra remains intensely charged, with the Chief Minister's sharp rhetoric setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral battle where accusations of betrayal and opportunism are likely to be central themes.
