Day after a “join us” quip by Fadnavis sparked speculation, the two leaders meet to discuss Maharashtra’s Opposition leadership — but political undertones linger.
🗞️ Background of the Case:
Once staunch allies in the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition, Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis became political opponents after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Disagreements over power-sharing and the Chief Minister’s post led to a political split, with Uddhav forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government with the Congress and NCP.
In June 2022, a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena, aligning a faction with the BJP. Since then, Uddhav Thackeray has been in the Opposition, often critical of Fadnavis and Shinde’s leadership.
🗣️ What Happened Now:
- On Wednesday, Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis met briefly at the Maharashtra Assembly in Mumbai.
- The meeting was reportedly regarding the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) post in the newly formed legislative assembly.
- However, the encounter gained extra political flavour due to a light-hearted comment made by Fadnavis the previous day.
💬 The ‘Join Us’ Remark:
- On Tuesday, during an informal interaction, Devendra Fadnavis made a remark to Uddhav Thackeray:
“If you are willing, come join us.” - The comment instantly drew media attention, sparking speculation about a possible realignment between the two leaders.
- Uddhav Thackeray, when asked about it, laughed it off, saying:
“That was a joke, not a proposal.”
🤝 The Assembly Meeting:
- Despite the public brush-off, the meeting on Wednesday raised eyebrows in political circles.
- Fadnavis and Thackeray were seen interacting cordially, even smiling — a rare occurrence given the political hostilities in recent years.
- The post of Leader of the Opposition is central to the assembly’s functioning, especially with shifting allegiances and factions within the Opposition.
🔍 Why It Matters:
- The political landscape in Maharashtra remains volatile, especially after the split in both Shiv Sena and NCP.
- Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is eyeing the LoP post, while Fadnavis and BJP are calculating long-term moves ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
- The casual camaraderie could signal softening positions or strategic optics — either way, it adds heat to Maharashtra’s political narrative.
📌 Key Takeaways:
- Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis met for the first time in months.
- The meeting followed a comment from Fadnavis that seemed to jokingly invite Thackeray to “join” him.
- The face-to-face discussion was officially about the LoP role in the assembly.
- The encounter added a layer of intrigue to Maharashtra’s dynamic political developments.
