Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 27: A brief encounter between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis aboard a Mumbai-Nagpur flight has snowballed into a political war of words, with Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launching a sharp attack on his former ally.
The controversy began after Thackeray, during his tour of Yavatmal, hinted that a "high-level discussion" had taken place with Fadnavis during the flight, adding that the details would become known in due course.
Responding to the remarks, Shinde dismissed the suggestion of any political significance and accused Thackeray of betraying the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in 2019.
"Loyalty is more valuable than travelling on the same flight," Shinde said, adding that the people of Maharashtra had given the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance a mandate, but Thackeray chose to align with the Congress and its allies instead.
Taking another swipe, Shinde said those who had abandoned the alliance were now trying to stay politically relevant through such statements, while describing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as an experienced and politically astute leader.
Recalling the political developments of 2019, Shinde said he had personally witnessed how dangerous betrayal by a close associate could be.
The Shiv Sena chief also mocked Thackeray's ongoing outreach programme across constituencies represented by leaders who recently shifted to Shinde's faction under the party's 'Operation Tiger' campaign.
He remarked that Thackeray's efforts had come too late, likening the situation to arriving after the celebrations were already over. Referring to the Yavatmal-Washim and Dharashiv visits, Shinde used the Hindi proverb, "Jo haud se gayi, woh boond se nahi aati" (What is lost in abundance cannot be recovered in drops), suggesting that the political damage could not be reversed through limited outreach.
Despite the political speculation, sources maintained that the meeting between Thackeray and Fadnavis on Friday evening was entirely coincidental.
According to sources, Thackeray, accompanied by Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray, was travelling to Nagpur to begin his Vidarbha tour, while Fadnavis was returning to Nagpur after attending an event in Pune.
As the leaders crossed paths in the aircraft aisle, Fadnavis reportedly joked that all three travelling together would become the biggest news of the day.
Sources said the interaction ended with a brief exchange of greetings, and no political or personal discussions took place during the journey. Both leaders left separately after arriving in Nagpur.
Meanwhile, speaking at the Shiv Rajyabhishek Sohala at Raigad Fort, Shinde also addressed speculation over the appointment of the Guardian Minister for Raigad district.
He said an announcement would be made soon and expressed confidence that, with the blessings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, all pending decisions would be resolved smoothly.
Political circles indicate that senior Shiv Sena leader and state minister Bharat Gogawale is the frontrunner for the post of Raigad Guardian Minister.