Rupali Patil Thombre meets Shrikant Shinde, move signals shift toward Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena
Rupali Patil Thombre
After being removed as NCP spokesperson, Rupali Patil Thombre has met Shrikant Shinde, fuelling strong speculation that she may soon join the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.
Mumbai, November 29, 2025 – Political activity in Maharashtra picked up pace after Rupali Patil Thombre met Shrikant Shinde, a move that has intensified speculation about her joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The timing has drawn attention because she was recently removed from her role as state spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party. Her exit from that position came amid clear signs of internal disagreement, and the meeting with Shinde is now seen as a possible step toward a new political home.
In the last few weeks, Thombre has been at the centre of conversation after NCP’s decision to drop her from the spokesperson list. She had been active in the party’s state operations, and her removal raised questions about internal disputes and shifting equations. Shortly afterward, reports suggested that leaders from different parties had approached her, but her interaction with Shrikant Shinde has become the strongest indicator of where she might be headed next.
For the Shinde-led faction, bringing her in would be a strategic gain. Thombre carries a public profile, a recognisable face in Pune district politics, and a support base that could help the party expand its influence. Her presence could strengthen outreach among women voters and younger supporters, both of which are areas the faction has been focusing on as part of its reorganisation and expansion strategy.
People close to her said the final decision has not been announced yet, but the meeting with Shinde was positive and further discussions are expected. They also noted that she has been evaluating her political options carefully. With state politics in a period of rapid realignment, moves like this are being watched closely not just by party workers but also by local leaders who may reassess their own positions.
Within the NCP, her potential exit has caused mixed reactions. Some leaders expressed disappointment, saying she had been active and visible in organisational roles. Others noted that internal disagreements have been increasing, and her departure would not be surprising in the current environment. The party has not issued a detailed comment about her next steps.
Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leaders, meanwhile, see this as part of a broader effort to strengthen their organisational structure ahead of upcoming elections. The party has been reaching out to local leaders from different districts to widen its footprint. A number of smaller shifts have been taking place over recent months, and Thombre’s move would add weight to the pattern of realignments underway across Maharashtra.
For now, everything hinges on when she chooses to make her political direction public. If she joins the Shinde faction, it could spark reactions among workers in Pune and surrounding areas, where she has built goodwill through previous roles. It may also affect how regional alliances and campaign strategies are shaped for the coming election season.
The meeting has undeniably shifted the conversation in state politics, and all eyes are now on Rupali Patil Thombre as she prepares for her next move.
