Pune: In a significant political development, former Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar and former Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLA Mahadev Babar met Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Thursday (January 30).

The meeting has fueled intense speculation about possible political shifts ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra. Over the past few weeks, there has been a growing trend of leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction switching allegiances to the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

In Pune, five corporators from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction recently joined the BJP, signaling a shift in the city’s political landscape.

Mahadev Babar, a former MLA from Hadapsar, had shown interest in contesting the Assembly elections from the constituency. However, the seat was given to NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) as part of the alliance arrangement. This reportedly left Babar sidelined within the Uddhav Thackeray faction.

Babar, accompanied by some of his close associates, met Eknath Shinde in Pune, adding to speculation about whether he is contemplating a move to the Mahayuti alliance.

When asked about the meeting, Shiv Sena city president Nana Bhangire stated, “We have not been informed about this meeting. If any discussions are taking place at the senior leadership level, we are not aware of them.”

Ravindra Dhangekar’s Meeting in Mumbai

Meanwhile, former Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, who had won from the Kasba Peth Assembly constituency, met Eknath Shinde at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai.

However, Dhangekar dismissed speculation about political realignment, stating that the meeting was solely focused on addressing constituency-related issues.