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Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) split from the BJP after the 2019 assembly elections due to disagreements over power-sharing
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai. (PTI photo)
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Friday responded with sarcasm and a sharp metaphor when asked about Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ recent invitation to “come to the ruling side.”
Speaking to reporters at the state assembly, Thackeray referred to a comment he had just made to the print media, saying, “Before speaking to you, I was speaking to the print media. I spoke about the chaddi baniyan gang. Chaddi baniyans also have an advertisement – yeh andar ki baat hai (this is an inside matter).”
Mumbai, Maharashtra: On CM Devendra Fadnavis’s ‘come to rulling side’ statement, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, “This is an internal matter” pic.twitter.com/yIpEG7AuO4— IANS (@ians_india) July 18, 2025
The “chaddi baniyan gang” reference came from Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who earlier this week had accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of turning Maharashtra into a “20 per cent commission state.” He also claimed that while “koyta gangs” (knife-wielding groups) were causing fear in Pune, the ruling alliance had its own version of “chaddi baniyan gangs” who used violence when things didn’t go their way.
Thackeray’s comment came in response to Fadnavis’ statement on Wednesday during a farewell function for outgoing Leader of Opposition in the legislative council, Ambadas Danve.
In a light-hearted tone, Fadnavis told Thackeray, “Uddhav ji, there is no scope (for a change in government) till 2029. We do not have the scope to come to the other (opposition’s) side. You have the scope to come here, and it can be thought about. We can think about it differently.”
Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) split from the BJP after the 2019 assembly elections due to disagreements over power-sharing, particularly the Chief Minister’s post. The break led to a major political shift in the state.
Interestingly, just a day after Fadnavis’ comments, Uddhav Thackeray met the Chief Minister in the legislative council chairperson’s chamber. The half-hour meeting was also attended by Uddhav’s son, Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray.
(With inputs from agencies)
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