Maharashtra’s political landscape faces fresh turbulence as Prakash Mahajan, elder brother of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan and a prominent Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) figure, is poised to join Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction.
Sources indicate the move follows a recent meeting with Shinde, potentially strengthening the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the Marathwada region ahead of crucial municipal polls.
The development comes just a day after MNS chief Raj Thackeray announced a surprise alliance with his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) to counter the Mahayuti in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic elections starting January 15.
Prakash Mahajan, known for his grassroots influence in Beed and Marathwada, could formally switch sides imminently, dealing a severe setback to MNS, which is already reeling from its poor showing in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections.
This potential defection highlights the fragility of new alliances and the ongoing power struggles within Thackeray family factions. Prakash Mahajan, who has a history of shifting loyalties — including a past stint with Uddhav’s Sena — brings political weight and organisational experience that could bolster Shinde’s position in key areas.
As speculation mounts, the move underscores the high-stakes chess game in Maharashtra politics, with civic polls set to test loyalties and strategies.