Mumbai: In a rare public appearance together, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray shared a stage at an event in Mumbai on Thursday. The gathering was organized for the release of a book spotlighting the profiles and illustrations of 75 cartoonists. Addressing the audience, Fadnavis remarked that dialogue and cordial interaction among leaders across party lines have long been a foundational tradition of Maharashtra politics. “I do not understand why some people are surprised to see us sharing a single stage. We are not surprised at all. It is part of Maharashtra’s political culture. Leaders from different parties can attend the same event, share a laugh, and drink tea together,” Fadnavis stated. Making a reference to Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis added with a touch of wit: “Until 2019, whenever Uddhavji invited me, I always went. After 2019, he did not call. I kept waiting.” The long-standing alliance between the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena fell apart following the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections over disputes regarding the chief ministerial post, turning former allies into fierce political rivals. Raj Thackeray echoed similar sentiments regarding the non-partisan nature of the gathering, noting that certain platforms transcend electoral rivalries. “People might be wondering how all three of us came together on one stage today. There are platforms where people set politics aside and come together. On such occasions, conversations revolve around art and culture rather than politics, making it natural for leaders with differing ideologies to unite,” he said. During the event, Fadnavis congratulated editor Prashant Kulkarni and the publisher Granthali for compiling the volume, titled Maharashtra Chi Hasyaresha, highlighting its importance in preserving historic cartoons with their original context. He also shared a lighthearted memory, recalling how he once told Raj Thackeray to draw his nose slightly larger if he ever decided to sketch a caricature of him. Uddhav Thackeray remarked that a cartoonist’s brush serves as their greatest weapon. He also announced that the under-construction memorial for Bal Thackeray will house the late leader’s original cartoons, describing the newly released compilation as an invaluable treasure that documents nearly a century of political and cultural history. Post navigation Israeli Election Remains in Deadlock as Vote Counting Nears Completion
