Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis Meet Amid Political Tensions

In a significant political development, Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met at the Maharashtra assembly. This meeting, held in the ante-chamber of Vidhan Parishad Chairman Ram Shinde at Vidhan Bhavan, comes after months of political rivalry between the two leaders. The encounter followed a light-hearted comment by Mr. Fadnavis, inviting Mr. Thackeray to join the ruling alliance, which Mr. Thackeray dismissed as a joke.

Discussion on Leader of Opposition Post

The primary agenda of the meeting was to discuss the post of the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly. Uddhav Thackeray advocated for Bhaskar Jadhav’s appointment to this position, a recommendation made during the last session. However, Speaker Rahul Narvekar has yet to make a decision on this matter. The Chief Minister emphasized that appointing a Leader of the Opposition is solely within the Speaker’s jurisdiction.

Aaditya Thackeray’s Presence and Language Policy Debate

Aaditya Thackeray also attended the meeting, where discussions extended to the state’s three-language policy. During this session, Uddhav Thackeray presented a book titled “Why Hindi should not be imposed” to Chief Minister Fadnavis. The book is a compilation of articles by various editors in Maharashtra. Mr. Fadnavis suggested that Mr. Thackeray submit a copy to Narendra Jadhav, who heads the committee reviewing the language policy.

Implications of Fadnavis’s “Join Us” Comment

The meeting gained additional attention due to Mr. Fadnavis’s recent remarks during Ambadas Danve’s farewell ceremony, where he humorously invited Mr. Thackeray to join the ruling alliance. This comment sparked widespread speculation about potential political realignments, although Mr. Thackeray dismissed it as mere banter.

The interaction between these political figures highlights ongoing tensions and negotiations within Maharashtra’s political landscape.