Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis’ Elevator Meeting Sparks Social Media Frenzy
Mumbai, 27th June 2024: On Thursday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray unexpectedly met with former ally and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in the state Assembly. A video capturing their conversation while waiting for a lift inside the Vidhan Sabha quickly went viral, sparking widespread social media discussion, especially amid ongoing speculations about tensions within both the BJP-led Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT).
Speaking to the media later, Uddhav Thackeray described the encounter with Fadnavis as a mere coincidence. “I met Devendra Fadnavis in an elevator by chance. You might think it’s a case of ‘na na karte pyaar tumhi se kar baithe,’ but that’s not true. They say walls have ears, so I’ll hold discreet meetings in elevators since lifts don’t have walls,” he said, referencing a Hindi phrase that means “While saying no, I ended up falling in love with you.”
The BJP and Shiv Sena had been long-time allies until their split in October 2019, following disagreements over power-sharing, specifically the Chief Minister’s position. Uddhav Thackeray, seeking the Chief Minister role for Shiv Sena, allied with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. However, this coalition collapsed in June 2022 after Eknath Shinde, a key Shiv Sena leader, led a revolt, taking most of the party’s MLAs and partnering with the BJP to form a new government, with Shinde becoming the Chief Minister. This rebellion also led to a split in Shiv Sena, with Shinde’s faction later officially receiving the party symbol and name.
Recently, the Mahayuti alliance—which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP—has been experiencing internal conflicts over seat distribution for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election, following their recent losses in the Lok Sabha polls.
At Shiv Sena’s 58th foundation day ceremony, senior leader Ramdas Kadam openly criticized the BJP and Ajit Pawar for the alliance’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections. Kadam suggested that if Shiv Sena candidates had been announced two months before the elections, as the BJP did, they could have secured all 15 contested seats. He accused the BJP of interference, which he believes led to the loss of critical seats like Nasik, Yavatmal, and Hingoli.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi is also facing tensions due to recent statements by some of its leaders. Maharashtra Congress state president Nana Patole claimed that the Congress has emerged as the dominant force in the state and will contest 150 seats in the upcoming assembly elections. Similarly, Uddhav Thackeray announced candidates for the four seats in the upcoming legislative council elections for the Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies without consulting MVA allies, causing dissatisfaction within the state Congress leadership.
