16 July,2025 10:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. File pic.
Taunts, barbs, and simmering emotions were on full display in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Uddhav Thackeray delivered valedictory speeches at the farewell of Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, reported news agency PTI.
Speaking at the farewell event in the upper house, Shinde took a dig at Thackeray, his former political associate turned fierce rival. Shinde remarked that Danve was not born with a golden spoon and that positive change should occur in the lives of common citizens of Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, Thackeray, who heads the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT), spoke immediately after Shinde. Hitting back at the Deputy CM, Thackeray asserted that although Danve was not born with a golden spoon, he did not "betray those who served him a plate full of food" - an apparent reference to Shinde, whose rebellion in June 2022 led to a split in the Shiv Sena, reported PTI.
Although Thackeray and Shinde, who leads the ruling coalition ally Shiv Sena, sat opposite each other on the treasury and opposition benches, no pleasantries were exchanged, and cold vibes between them were visible.
"You did not betray the party who served you a plate of food. You did not commit the crime of going to another restaurant (party) for getting more food (power)," Thackeray said, praising his party colleague and outgoing MLC Danve.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) president also took a dig at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his now-famous statement âMe Punha Yein' (I will be back). Thackeray said:
"While your (Danve's) term is getting over (as MLC), you again say âMe Punha Yein' and from the same party (Sena UBT)."
However, âMe Punha Yein' was a much-talked-about slogan used by Fadnavis before the 2019 assembly polls, indicating his resolve to return as CM after the elections. Although the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena secured a majority in the 2019 assembly polls as allies, they parted ways following disagreements on sharing the chief minister's post, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, as Thackeray became CM with Congress and NCP (undivided) support in 2019, Fadnavis - the BJP's first CM in Maharashtra - then had to settle for the Leader of Opposition post and was often ridiculed by political opponents, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, for his âcomeback' slogan.
Furthermore, Thackeray said he wanted to thank Fadnavis, as Danve was raised in the BJP and the RSS before joining the undivided Shiv Sena. "But can he (Fadnavis) return this thanks in a similar way, as he, too, has taken people from me?" Thackeray said, referring to Shinde and other MLAs and MPs who revolted against him in 2022.
Speaking earlier, Fadnavis noted that since Danve's early political life was spent in the BJP, one could observe his abilities like perseverance, organisational skills, and an eye for detail.
However, taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis maintained that Danve is an ardent follower of Hindutva ideologue V. D. Savarkar, even if he sits next to Congress MLC Satej Patil in the upper house.
"He (Danve) staged protests against loudspeakers on religious sites, but I am not sure he can give such memorandums in the current situation," Fadnavis said in a jibe at Thackeray.
According to PTI, Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe, who switched sides and joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in 2023, was seen participating in verbal exchanges.
In a jibe at Thackeray, who is often seen as inaccessible to his party workers, she said Danve possesses a good quality which is essential in politics - that is, he responds to phone calls and messages, she said.
"If one does not answer phone calls, the person on the other side gets upset and demoralised," she said.
Moreover, critics of Thackeray have often accused him of not answering calls and responding to messages.
"I don't like to respond to political criticism because although there are political differences, there is no lack of harmony in thoughts. When I went to Prayagraj and took a dip in the Ganga, the anger diminished. Those who cannot eliminate criticism in their mind should take a bath in the Ganga," Gorhe suggested.
(With inputs from PTI)
