Uddhav calls BJP leader ‘future friend’

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday referred to Union minister and senior BJP leader Raosaheb Danve as “my former friend — and if we come together again, then future friend”.

Thackeray’s statement indicated he has kept the option for the alliance with the BJP. Interestingly, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Thursday had asked the people don’t call him a former minister. Patil had said that why he was saying to not call him ex-minister, would be revealed in the next two to three days. These statements have led to speculation whether something is brewing up between the BJP and the Shiv Sena.

The CM was in Marathwada region of Maharashtra on the occasion of the Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din (Marathwada Liberation Day). While addressing the public, Thackeray, who is also the president of the Shiv Sena, said, “Present here is also my former and present friend and if we (read-Shiv Sena and the BJP) come together again, then the future colleague.”

The CM made this statement in the presence of the revenue minister and senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat. As the statement triggered a speculation in the political circle, Danve told the reporters that both parties shared the same ideology and his party was always willing to renew ties with the Sena.

The relationship between the Shiv Sena and the BJP was strained over the chief minister’s post after the result of Maharashtra Assembly election in 2019. Subsequently, the former snapped the ties with the latter over the same.

The Sena formed a new coalition in Maharashtra with the help of Congress and NCP in 2019 under the leadership of the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.