Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray shared a stage at a book launch event in Mumbai on Thursday, October 29. Fadnavis described the gathering as part of Maharashtra's political tradition, saying that political differences do not prevent leaders from attending social and cultural events together.
The presence of the three prominent political figures at the event attracted attention in political circles, given their opposing political positions. However, Fadnavis said there was nothing surprising about their appearance together, adding that leaders from different political parties have traditionally attended cultural and social programmes irrespective of their political differences.
Speaking at the programme held at the Savarkar Memorial Auditorium in Dadar, Mumbai, Fadnavis said he did not understand why some people were surprised to see the three leaders together.
According to the chief minister, it is not unusual for politicians with different ideologies to meet at public events. Political rivals can sit together, exchange pleasantries, share a laugh and have tea without necessarily agreeing on political issues.
Fadnavis also referred to his earlier relationship with Uddhav Thackeray. In a light-hearted remark, he said that until 2019, he would always respond whenever Thackeray invited him. However, after that, Thackeray stopped calling him, while he continued waiting for an invitation.
The remark brought attention back to the political relationship between the two leaders and the events following the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The BJP and the then undivided Shiv Sena had been longstanding allies. However, disagreements over the chief minister's post and power-sharing arrangements following the 2019 Assembly elections led to a breakdown in their alliance. The two parties subsequently became political opponents.
MNS president Raj Thackeray also commented on the presence of the three leaders at the programme. He said certain occasions should be attended by setting aside political differences.
According to Raj Thackeray, events associated with art, literature and culture have their own significance. The participation of leaders from different political parties in such programmes has been a longstanding tradition in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar was also present at the event and appreciated Fadnavis's participation. Responding to this, Raj Thackeray jokingly said that if Fadnavis remained chief minister until 2029, he could continue to be invited to such programmes.
The programme also featured a discussion on cartoon art alongside politics. Recalling an earlier conversation, Fadnavis said he had once asked Raj Thackeray to make his nose slightly bigger if he ever drew his cartoon.
The chief minister said cartoons were not merely a form of entertainment. They could also communicate important social and political issues through a limited number of words.
Fadnavis also assured that a separate art gallery would be established for Marathi cartoonists to preserve their work and introduce their contributions to younger generations.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said a cartoonist's brush was their most powerful weapon. He added that a good cartoon could communicate an important message without relying on extensive words.
He also recalled the cartooning work of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Uddhav said cartoons created by Bal Thackeray would be displayed at his memorial, which is currently under construction, allowing future generations to view and appreciate his creative work.
The event marked the launch of the book 'Maharashtrachya Hasyarekha'. Edited by senior cartoonist Prashant Kulkarni and associated with the Granthali organisation, the book documents nearly 100 years of the history of Marathi cartoon art.
The publication features the work and contributions of 75 cartoonists. Fadnavis praised the team involved in preparing the book, while Uddhav Thackeray described it as a valuable historical collection.
Although the gathering was organised as a cultural event, the appearance of three prominent political rivals on the same platform remained a subject of discussion in political circles. However, there was no concrete basis presented to interpret the meeting as a signal of a new political alliance.
