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For the first time since the Shiv Sena split, deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray were seen in the same space for the farewell of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve as LoP
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray greets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and others during an event at the state legislative council on July 16. (Image: PTI/videos)
Awkward, cold, stiff, or even embarrassing — all of these words might be used to describe the “encounter” between Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday.
Most likely for the first time since the Shiv Sena split, Shinde and Uddhav were seen “crossing paths” as the state legislative council gathered to bid farewell to Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve as leader of the opposition.
Watch the video here:
VIDEO | Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde cross paths for the first time as the state legislative council gathers to bid farewell to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve as LoP.(Full video available on PTI Videos… pic.twitter.com/kcVlClwSqV— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 16, 2025
But, not before things became painfully awkward for the former colleagues due to a seating arrangement. In a video released by PTI, Uddhav is asked to join Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies — Shinde and Ajit Pawar — as well as other leaders of the ruling side at the event.
Uddhav, who is seen lingering on the sidelines, is directed to a chair up front and close to Shinde. Walking over to the other side, he is seen greeting Fadnavis and others with folded hands but Shinde chooses that very moment to fix his spectacles and engage another leader in conversation, completely ignoring Uddhav and refusing to even meet his eyes.
Uddhav, meanwhile, quickly recovers and starts talking to another leader and, despite others’ objections, chooses to sit at the far end of the line and a seat away from Shinde.
The two leaders have never been spotted together since the Shiv Sena split in June 2022 due to Shinde’s rebellion followed by the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government under Uddhav. Shinde was later recognised as the leader of the original Shiv Sena by the Election Commission of India.
Later, during the event, the political rivals exchanged taunts and barbs, with simmering emotions on full display as they delivered valedictory speeches for Danve’s farewell.
Shinde took a dig at Thackeray, saying Danve was not born with a golden spoon and positive change should take place in lives of common citizens of Maharashtra. Thackeray spoke immediately after Shinde and, hitting back, maintained that although Danve was not born with a golden spoon, he did not “betray those who served him a plate full of food” — an apparent reference to the Sena split.
“You did not betray the party who served you a plate of food. You did not commit the crime of not going to another restaurant (party) for getting more food (power),” Thackeray said, praising Danve.
He further took a dig at Fadnavis over his now famous statement ‘Me Punha Yein’ (I will be back). “While your (Danve) term is getting over (as MLC), you again say ‘Me Punha Yein’ and from the same party (Sena UBT),” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st…Read More
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st… Read More
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