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Responding to the remarks, Thackeray made an oblique reference to the BJP’s alliance with Shinde following the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena.
Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. (PTI file photos)
The Maharashtra Legislative Council witnessed a mix of warmth and political sparring on Tuesday as Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and several other members were given a farewell at the end of their six-year term.
While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reflected on his long-standing friendship with Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde used the occasion to take a subtle dig at his former mentor.
Fadnavis recalled his association with Thackeray dating back to 2010, when the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena were allies. He said their personal bond deepened further after 2014 and described Thackeray as someone whose original temperament was measured and relationship-driven, rather than confrontational.
Fadnavis Recalls Past
“We developed a friendship. I will not say it is not there now,” Fadnavis said, even as he acknowledged the political split in 2019 that put them on different paths.
The chief minister said his (Thackeray’s) temperament was not like a typical politician.
“Many a time he (Thackeray) is seen clashing, launching a strong attack, counter attack. But this is not his original temperament. His original temperament is measured and maintaining relations,” Fadnavis stated.
Fadnavis further said Thackeray never bothered about consequences.
Responding to the remarks, Thackeray made an oblique reference to the BJP’s alliance with Shinde following the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena.
“If you knew me so well, then why did you hold someone else’s hand,” he said, without naming Shinde directly.
He also listed the work in his tenure as chief minister, particularly the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, and called for the appointment of Leaders of Opposition in both houses of the state legislature.
Shinde’s Jibe
Shinde, who moved the farewell motion, struck a conciliatory tone initially, saying there are no full stops in politics.
However, while referring to Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe, he remarked that she had not been “born with a silver spoon”, in an apparent contrast to Thackeray, who inherited the party leadership from his father, Bal Thackeray.
Both Shinde and Neelam Gorhe have worked under the leadership of Bal Thackeray.
In his speech, Uddhav Thackeray referred to the case of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, arrested for raping a woman on the pretext for performing rituals.
“Bulls are being slaughtered for selfish reasons,” he said cryptically.
Shinde, after becoming chief minister in 2022 by toppling the Thackeray-led government, had visited a temple built by Kharat in Nashik district, and their photos went viral after Kharat’s recent arrest.
Leaders of the Sena (UBT) have alleged in the past that when Shinde and MLAs of his faction visited Assam after the 2022 Shiv Sena split, bulls were sacrificed at a temple in Guwahati.
(With inputs from PTI)
March 24, 2026, 23:11 IST
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