'Talked about traffic': MNS' Raj Thackeray on meeting CM Devendra Fadnavis; squashes tie-up rumours

NEW DELHI: The meeting between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has stirred up regional politics, occurring a day after the Thackeray brand failed to gain traction in the BEST Credit Society elections , prompting speculation about a possible collaboration between the two parties. However, the MNS head clarified that the meeting was solely to address issues concerning town planning and traffic congestion .

Raj Thackeray said that the meeting was not political but intended to address town planning and traffic issues, especially following the 400 mm of rainfall in Greater Mumbai.

" I and my colleagues met with the Honorable Chief Minister of the state, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis... The topic was the traffic problem that has arisen in all cities of the state, including Mumbai, and some solutions we proposed... Cities are growing, new projects are coming up, and the influx of people into cities is not stopping. On top of that, the number of vehicles is increasing, but we neither have enough roads nor parking spaces," said Raj Thackeray.

आज २१ ऑगस्ट २०२५ रोजी, मी आणि माझ्या सहकाऱ्यांनी राज्याचे मुख्यमंत्री मा. श्री. देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांची भेट घेतली... विषय होता मुंबईसह राज्यातील सर्व शहरांत उदभवलेली ट्रॅफिकची समस्या आणि त्यावर आम्ही सुचवलेल्या काही उपाययोजना... शहरं वाढत आहेत, नवनवीन प्रकल्प येत आहेत, शहरांत… pic.twitter.com/vjXIoftSHG

— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) August 21, 2025

He further stated, "We are stuck on issues like pigeons and elephants, but we are not paying attention to problems like parking. Traffic congestion is the most serious issue, and there is a need to look at all of this with open eyes and implement long-term solutions. What should those solutions be? Public participation is also necessary in this. But what if people themselves break traffic and parking rules? Strict action must be taken."

The MNS chief also said that he made some suggestions to the government regarding all this and Fadnavis responded positively to them.

Ajit Pawar downplays Raj Thackeray-Devendra Fadnavis meet

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday downplayed the meeting between Thackeray and CM Fadnavis, saying that maintaining communication is a tradition in the state.

Talking to reporters in Wardha, Pawar said, “Many leaders meet one another as well as with the chief minister, irrespective of whether they are in power or not. Maintaining communication with each other is the tradition of the state. There is no need to give a political angle to this meeting.”