The Sharad Pawar-led camp suggests that high-level talks were underway for the merger, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior leaders from Ajit Pawar's faction have flatly denied such developments.
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has strengthened its position in the BMC after four corporators from both NCP factions joined its fold.
Parth Pawar, son of late Ajit Pawar, is set to enter the Rajya Sabha, filling the seat expected to be vacated by Sunetra Pawar.
NCP leaders met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to stake claim to the key portfolios held by the late Ajit Pawar, seeking to retain them within the party's quota.
Speculation of discontent grew when Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde skipped a scheduled cabinet meeting and did not attend a planned meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Instead, Shinde travelled to his native village Dare and participated in local campaign activities in Satara district.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav argued that if the Shinde faction genuinely respects Balasaheb's legacy, it should demonstrate political courage by prioritising the Thackeray family's leadership over its alliance with the BJP. He also pointed out that Shinde, having consistently supported the BJP at both the state and Centre, should now use his influence to ensure that Mumbai gets what he described as a "true" Shiv Sena Mayor.
Raj Thackeray said that it was Balasaheb Thackeray who first thought of uniting Hindus, while Uddhav Thackeray slammed "defectors", saying they have undermined Maharashtra.
Raj Thackeray used humour and sharp political quips while addressing a Mumbai gathering with Uddhav Thackeray, joking about post-poll politics and shifting loyalties.
Sarita Mhaske, the lone corporator who was "incommunicado" from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, returned along with her husband on Thursday after 24 hours. Thackeray loyalist and UBT MLC Milind Narvekar led efforts to find the couple.
In Kalyan-Dombivli, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena kept aside its bitter rivalry with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to stitch up an alliance to prevent the BJP from securing the mayor's post.
