Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday (August 21, 2025) met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai, sparking political chatter in the State. The meeting came a day after a joint panel of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT and the MNS suffered a major setback, failing to secure a single seat in the BEST Employees’ Co-operative Credit Society election. Mr. Raj Thackeray, however, clarified at a press conference that the meeting revolved around civic concerns, particularly rising traffic congestion and parking woes due to rapid slum redevelopment. He said that he had presented a proposal in the presence of senior Mumbai Police officials, suggesting underground parking facilities beneath playgrounds to accommodate 500 to 1,000 vehicles without affecting open spaces. He expressed concern over Mumbai’s worsening civic and traffic conditions, and blamed poor planning and lack of discipline for the chaos. “The day before yesterday, we witnessed 400 mm of rain, which led to massive traffic jams. Roads are narrowing, vehicles are parked everywhere, and there’s no traffic discipline. No concrete work has been done to address these issues. Instead, we keep focusing on irrelevant matters — we are stuck discussing pigeons and elephants while basic problems are ignored,” Mr. Raj Thackeray said. He also said that he had met the CM once or twice over the past few months to discuss crucial urban issues and planning strategies. He recalled making a 16-minute documentary in 2014 on city aesthetics, and said he was now working on versions in other languages as well, emphasising his deep interest in town planning and redevelopment. Quoting a Scottish writer, Mr. Raj Thackeray said, “’Tell me what songs your children sing, and I will tell you the future of your country’. For Mumbai, I paraphrase it and say, ‘Show me the traffic situation in your country, and I will tell you its future’.” Highlighting the rapid pace of redevelopment in Mumbai, Thane, and several other parts of Maharashtra, he said population density had exploded. “Where 50 people once lived, now 500 people occupy the same space. Cars have multiplied, traffic has worsened, and now even garbage is piling up on the roads. The entire city is sliding into a complete mess,” the MNS leader said. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar downplayed political interpretations, saying leaders often meet regardless of party affiliations. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also dismissed the rumours, suggesting Mr. Raj Thackeray may have invited Mr. Fadnavis for Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.