Uddhav Thackeray meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Speaker Rahul Narwekar in Nagpur

Mumbai: In a development that raised political eyebrows in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in what was the first official meeting between the two leaders since the June 2022 split in the Shiv Sena.

Thackeray also separately met Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

The meetings took place in the Vidhan Bhavan complex in Nagpur where the week-long winter session of Maharashtra legislature is under way.

The meeting assumes significance as the Shiv Sena (UBT) is seeking the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

Thackeray, who is an MLC, was accompanied by his son and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray, who is the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s legislature party leader, the latter’s cousin and Bandra East MLA Varun Sardesai, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s group leader in Assembly Bhaskar Jadhav, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s group leader in the Council Sachin Ahir, and MLC Anil Parab.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has 20 MLAs, the highest among the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi - as the Congress has 16 and Sharad Pawar-headed NCP (SP) 10.

As far as Narwekar is concerned, he was once part of the undivided Shiv Sena and helped the Thackeray family and the party in handling legal issues.

As Speaker, Narwekar had ruled on the disqualification petitions in the Shiv Sena vs Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP vs NCP (SP) cases.

“I wished Fadnavis for taking over as the CM and also congratulated him for Maha Yuti’s victory in the state Assembly. There is a rich tradition in Maharashtra for a healthy dialogue between the ruling and opposition party leaders. I also wished him under his Chief Ministership, Maharashtra will further progress,” said Thackeray.

Speaking about the two separate meetings, Aaditya said: “This is a step forward. Both (the Treasury and Opposition benches) should show political maturity to work together for the country and Maharashtra’s benefit.”

Aaditya, however, said that no discussion was held on the post of the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

As far as the post of Leader of the Opposition is concerned, Fadnavis had earlier stated that the BJP and Maha Yuti would go with whatever decision the Speaker takes.

Since none of the opposition parties has 10 per cent of the total strength of the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, they are unable to formally claim the post.

Over the past two-and-a-half-years, Thackeray and Fadnavis had exchanged barbs as the latter was instrumental in splitting the Shiv Sena founded by his late father Balasaheb Thackeray.

Moreover, the original party’s control, the name Shiv Sena and bow-and-arrow symbol went to Eknath Shinde, who was made the CM. After the recently concluded assembly polls, Shinde reluctantly accepted the post of Deputy CM.