An accidental encounter between Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray in a lift in Vidhan Bhawan on Thursday caused ripples in state political circles, but both sides quickly sought to downplay the meeting. On the first day of the state legislature monsoon session, BJP leader Fadnavis and former CM Thackeray -- political friends-turned-foes -- found themselves waiting for the lift together in the Vidhan Bhawan premises. A viral video shows the two leaders exchanging some words.
Asked about the conversation later, Thackeray, an MLC, said, People must have thought of the song, 'na na karte pyar tumhi se kar baithe' (I fell in love with you despite denials). But no such thing will happen . Lifts don't have ears so it is a good suggestion to have more such meetings in lifts, the former CM added on a lighter note, while speaking to reporters.
Thackeray, a former BJP ally and a bitter critic of the national party, said nothing else was to be inferred from the lift encounter as it was an unexpected meeting". BJP legislator Pravin Darekar, who was also in the lift, said, When the lift doors opened, Fadnavis walked towards the side of the ruling party offices and Uddhav ji walked to the opposition party offices. This means he (Uddhav) has no intention of joining the ruling benches.
Darekar said Maharashtra has a rich political legacy of opposing leaders maintaining respectful and cordial relations. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Sh.