The start of Maharashtra’s monsoon assembly session on Thursday was marked by unexpected encounters between political rivals, setting tongues wagging in the state’s political circles.
In a surprising turn of events, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were spotted chatting outside a lift in the legislature building. The former allies, who’ve been at loggerheads since their fallout in 2019, even shared a lift ride, exiting together.
This chance meeting has fueled speculation about a potential alliance between the BJP and Thackeray’s faction, especially with Maharashtra assembly elections looming on the horizon.
Adding to the intrigue, BJP leader and Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil was seen welcoming Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve. In a gesture of goodwill, Patil gifted chocolates to the duo and even fed sweets to Anil Parab, Maha Vikas Aghadi’s candidate for the Maharashtra Legislative Council, wishing him luck.
These cordial interactions between erstwhile rivals have raised eyebrows among political observers. Many are now keenly watching for any signs that might hint at a possible BJP-Thackeray alliance in the upcoming elections.
While it’s too early to draw conclusions, these unexpected encounters have certainly injected a dose of excitement into Maharashtra’s political landscape. As the assembly session progresses, all eyes will be on these leaders, looking for any further indications of a potential political realignment.
For now, though, these meetings remain just that – meetings. Whether they’re the first steps towards a renewed alliance or merely polite exchanges between political opponents remains to be seen. Either way, they’ve certainly given Maharashtra’s political watchers plenty to chew on as the monsoon session gets underway.