CM Fadnavis's remark came amid reports of continuing unease between him and Eknath Shinde, who split the Shiv Sena in 2022 and joined hands with the BJP
The undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray parted ways with the longtime ally BJP after the 2019 assembly elections. File Pic
In a tongue-in-cheek remark, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday told his former ally and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray that the BJP was not likely to join him in the opposition, but he can come over to the ruling side, reported the PTI.
CM Fadnavis was speaking at a farewell function in the legislative council for leader of opposition Ambadas Danve. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was seated next to him.
"Uddhav ji, there is no scope (for a change in government) till 2029. We do not have the scope to come to the other (opposition's) side. You have the scope to come here, and it can be thought about. We can think about it differently," the chief minister said, according to the PTI.
The undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray parted ways with the longtime ally BJP after the 2019 assembly elections.
CM Fadnavis's remark came amid reports of continuing unease between him and Eknath Shinde, who split the Shiv Sena in 2022 and joined hands with the BJP.
Eknath Shinde was said to be unhappy when he had to cede the chief minister's post to CM Fadnavis after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance retained power with a victory in the 2024 elections, the news agency reported.
Uddhav, Eknath Shinde trade barbs in council as Ambadas Danve gets emotional farewell
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.
(with PTI inputs)
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