The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) held a key strategy meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday, with alliance leaders stressing the need for stronger coordination and unity as they prepare to take on the ruling coalition over a range of public issues in Maharashtra.
The meeting, held at the MCA Club, was attended by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar did not attend the gathering, with state party president Shashikant Shinde representing the party on his behalf.
According to sources, the attendance at the meeting became a talking point after only 37 legislators from the alliance reportedly participated, despite the three MVA partners collectively having around 60 MLAs and MLCs. Several lawmakers were said to be absent due to personal commitments and previously scheduled engagements.
During the closed-door discussions, senior leaders reportedly urged all elected representatives of the alliance to work together and present a united front both inside and outside the legislature. The leadership emphasised that coordination among alliance partners would be crucial in raising issues affecting the public and challenging the government on matters of governance.
Sources said Uddhav Thackeray delivered a candid message to party leaders and legislators, questioning whether the alliance was truly functioning as a united force.
“We say we are united as the Maha Vikas Aghadi, but are we really united? If we are truly united, then from now on we must work together and remain united,” Thackeray reportedly told those present.
The remarks were seen as a call for greater discipline and cooperation within the opposition alliance at a time when Maharashtra’s political landscape continues to witness shifting loyalties and defections.
Leaders at the meeting also discussed the importance of focusing on organisational strengthening rather than dwelling on leaders who have left the alliance in recent years. The message from the gathering was that the opposition should concentrate on rebuilding its grassroots network and addressing issues affecting ordinary citizens.
The alliance leaders reviewed several concerns facing the state, including farmers’ problems, challenges caused by heavy rains, and other public welfare matters. Discussions also centred on crafting a joint strategy to corner the government on these issues during the upcoming political and legislative battles.
The meeting concluded with a decision to hold regular coordination meetings among senior MVA leaders to ensure a common approach on major state issues. Leaders maintained that the opposition’s effectiveness would depend on its ability to remain united and collectively raise the concerns of the people.
