During a press conference in Mumbai in December 2024, when Shinde asked reporters to “wait till evening” for clarity, Ajit Pawar had quipped, “I will take the oath, I won’t wait,” drawing laughter from those present

According to Raut, the same individuals had earlier met Thackeray during the Lok Sabha elections as well. However, Thackeray refused to entertain them, citing his faith in the electoral process and democracy. Raut pointed out that the Maha Vikas Aghadi had won 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra