MVA rift widens as Uddhav's Sena expresses displeasure with Sharad Pawar for felicitating Eknath Shinde

As per the sources from the Uddhav Sena, Uddhav Thackery has expressed resentment over the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award given to Shinde by the NCP-SCP chief. Thackeray has said that Pawar should not have felicitated the deputy chief minister as he had broken the Shiv Sena. He said that Pawar should have respected the sentiments of the Thackeray family.

Reacting to the felicitation, UBT MP Sanjay Raut said, "Do you know who gave this award? Such awards given to political leaders are either bought or sold."

Sena (UBT) to go solo in municipal elections

The rumours of the rift took a toll after the alliance faced a crushing defeat at the hands of BJP-led Mahayuti in the 2024 assembly elections. In the most recent development, Uddhav Thackeray, last month, announced going solo in the Maharashtra municipal elections. 

However, UBT leader Sanjay Raut later clarified that the decision had nothing to do with the future of MVA and the decision was taken because the alliance in local polls curbs the opportunities for workers. To settle the dust, Thackeray had also met Sharad Pawar at his South Mumbai residence.

Pawar, the architect of the opposition coalition, had stepped in to calm the turbulence within the MVA and recently said he would convene a meeting of the combine’s three constituents to discuss contesting the upcoming local body elections.