30 March,2026 02:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Parth Pawar and Raj Thackeray
A significant political development unfolded in Maharashtra on Monday as Parth Pawar, son of late NCP leader Ajit Pawar, made an unexpected visit to Shivtirth and met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), according to reports.
Parth Pawar's sudden meeting with Raj Thackeray has triggered intense political speculation across the state. The visit comes just days after NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had also met Raj Thackeray at the same venue.
While Rohit Pawar's meeting was reportedly linked to discussions surrounding an ongoing probe into an alleged aircraft-related incident involving Ajit Pawar, the purpose behind Parth Pawar's visit remains unclear.
Following the meeting, Parth Pawar left the venue without interacting with the media, maintaining complete silence on the agenda or outcome of the discussion. The lack of an official statement has further deepened curiosity about the political significance of the interaction, as per reports.
The development gains added importance as Parth Pawar has recently been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Parth Pawar is set to replace Sunetra Pawar, who vacated her Rajya Sabha seat after taking oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Following recent political changes, Sunetra Pawar has emerged as a central figure within the NCP. She currently leads the party in the state legislature and has also been appointed as the party's president.
With these developments, political observers note a consolidation of leadership within the Pawar family, even as new alignments and interactions-such as Parth Pawar's meeting with Raj Thackeray-continue to draw attention in Maharashtra's evolving political landscape.
Earlier, NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar met MNS chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai on February 27 to discuss concerns over the plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar on January 28. After the meeting at Shivaji Park, Rohit said he shared his doubts about the incident and the investigation, and claimed that the MNS chief assured him support, saying the issue was about "justice for a Marathi leader". According to media reports, Raj is said to have asserted that Sunetra Pawar, too, should speak about the plane crash mishap.
