Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, clarified that his shared elevator ride with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was purely coincidental.
Addressing the swirling political rumors within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) circles, Thackeray humorously referenced a famous song from the Bollywood film ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ (1965), saying: “...‘na, na karte pyar tumhi se kar baithe’... nothing like that is going to happen with the BJP... you can rest assured.”
In response to questions about what was discussed during the elevator encounter, Thackeray quipped: “They say walls have ears… so from now on, any secret conversations must be held only in lifts!”
When asked about a surprise visit by BJP Minister Chandrakant Patil to the Shiv Sena (UBT) office in the legislature building, Thackeray dismissed speculation with a joke: “... from tomorrow, I shall sport goggles.”
During the visit, Minister Patil presented Thackeray with a large packet of milk chocolate, while the Leader of the Opposition (Council) Ambadas Danve offered a box of 'pedas' (milk-sweetmeat) to the visitor, jokingly saying it was for their anticipated victory in the Lok Sabha elections, amidst laughter and camaraderie.
Later, Thackeray took a dig at Patil, suggesting that instead of offering 'free chocolates', the BJP Minister should focus on addressing the needs of the state’s weary population.
Calling the current legislative session “the farewell session of the MahaYuti government”, Thackeray criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, highlighting that despite promises, farmer suicides had not ceased, and mocked the CM's luxurious farming methods, saying, “Is there any other farmer in the country who flies in a helicopter to till his land?”
Thackeray reiterated the opposition MVA’s demands for a complete loan waiver for farmers before the upcoming Assembly elections in October, and called for measures to address the drought-like conditions, including the provision of food, water, and fodder for the farmers.
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