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The scene was set for a farewell event for Legislative Council opposition Leader Ambadas Danve, where leaders gathered on the assembly steps for a group photo
The tension was evident as both Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray avoided eye contact. (PTI)
Politics can create moments more dramatic than any movie and Maharashtra witnessed one such occasion when friends-turned-foes Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde came face-to-face during a photo session at the state assembly.
The scene was set for a farewell event for Legislative Council opposition Leader Ambadas Danve where leaders gathered on the assembly steps for a group photo—a rare sight that brought old allies and new rivals together in the same frame.
Ajit Pawar was the first to arrive and grab a chair. Council chairman Ram Shinde and deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe joined next. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis then walked in and sat beside Shinde. Soon, Danve took his seat too, surrounded by smiling MLAs ready for the perfect shot.
Just then, Eknath Shinde arrived, almost jogging to claim his spot. He settled in, adjusted his glasses, and prepared for the camera. Everything seemed smooth until, at the last moment, Uddhav Thackeray appeared on the steps. Thackeray politely greeted Fadnavis, who gestured for him to take a seat. However, Thackeray walked ahead and paused.
Neelam Gorhe, who now sits with the Shinde camp but once stood firmly with Thackeray, quickly got up and offered the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader her seat—right next to Shinde. The crowd watched closely. Would Thackeray sit next to the man who split his party? The tension was evident.
Both leaders avoided each other’s eyes. Shinde fiddled with his glasses again, pretending to fix them, while Thackeray stood, calm but firm. Finally, Gorhe ended the suspense by moving aside and Thackeray settled in, with Gorhe acting as the human buffer between him and Shinde. As the camera shutters clicked, Shinde made sure the chair was steady, folded his hands, and turned away. Thackeray looked in the opposite direction, occasionally chatting with Gorhe, but never acknowledging Shinde’s presence.
The photo was finally clicked, with smiles that hid cold shoulders. As soon as the session ended, Shinde got up and left without looking back. Thackeray followed soon after, sharing a polite handshake with Fadnavis before exiting.
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
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