For now, the political players in Maha appear poised to consolidate their positions rather than venture into unpredictable alignments.

The warm exchange of greetings between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, captured in a viral wedding video on Monday, has ignited speculation about a potential political rapprochement between the estranged Thackeray cousins. This development coincides with Sharad Pawar’s birthday gathering in New Delhi, where he met his nephew and rival, Ajit Pawar, during the ongoing winter session of Parliament. These events have fueled discussions in both Delhi and Mumbai about whether Maharashtra’s political landscape is on the verge of a shake-up.

Social media and regional media outlets have buzzed with theories, but both camps have maintained silence. The question persists: are the Pawar uncle-nephew duo and the Thackeray cousins contemplating a political realignment?

Despite their diminished electoral clout, the Thackeray cousins continue to wield influence in Maharashtra’s corporate and cultural circuits, making them regular fixtures in national media. This week, the spotlight shifted to whether the visible camaraderie between the cousins hints at a future alliance.

Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is grappling with an existential crisis. The party’s vote share plunged below 1.5% in the last assembly polls, and it now has no representation in the state assembly. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena fares slightly better but suffered significant setbacks following its 2022 split. Amid these challenges, party cadres in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai have called for the Thackeray cousins to join forces, further fueling speculation.

In New Delhi, Sharad Pawar’s 85th birthday brought Ajit Pawar to his residence, sparking chatter about a potential reconciliation. Party workers echoed these sentiments with posters and hoardings urging the Pawar duo to reunite. However, the reality appears more complex.

Raj Thackeray’s departure from the Shiv Sena in 2006 marked the beginning of a tumultuous political journey. After securing 13 seats in the 2009 state assembly, his influence waned. Raj’s alliances have been inconsistent—he opposed the BJP in 2014, allied with Sharad Pawar, and later extended unconditional support to the Modi-led BJP in 2019. This pattern suggests Raj’s primary political strategy has been to counter Uddhav, making a sudden reconciliation unlikely.

Sharad Pawar has steadfastly adhered to his left-of-center, anti-BJP stance. At 85, insiders believe he’s unlikely to shift alliances. Ajit Pawar, however, remains firmly embedded within the BJP-led alliance, buoyed by his party’s unexpected electoral success. While cordiality between the uncle and nephew persists, a formal realignment appears improbable.

With the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance holding sway, significant disruptions in Maharashtra’s political equations seem unlikely. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s recent expressions of dissatisfaction may hint at internal tensions, but he, like others, is expected to maintain stability for now.

For now, the political players in Maharashtra appear poised to consolidate their positions rather than venture into unpredictable alignments.