In a surprising display of political civility, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray found themselves on the same flight to Nagpur on Saturday, June 26, 2026. The two leaders, who have been at loggerheads over the control of the Shiv Sena and the state government, shook hands briefly before boarding the aircraft at Mumbai airport.
Rare Gesture Amid Ongoing Rivalry
The handshake, captured by photographers, marked a rare moment of personal interaction between the two politicians. Fadnavis, who leads the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra, and Thackeray, the president of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), have been embroiled in a bitter political feud since the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2022. The MVA, which included the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress, was ousted after a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde, who later allied with the BJP to form a new government.
Both leaders were traveling to Nagpur for separate political engagements. Fadnavis was scheduled to attend a BJP meeting, while Thackeray was set to address a gathering of his party workers. The flight, a commercial Air India service, took off from Mumbai at around 10:30 AM and landed in Nagpur at 12:15 PM. Sources said the two leaders sat in different sections of the aircraft and did not engage in any conversation beyond the initial handshake.
Political Implications
The gesture has sparked speculation about a possible thaw in relations between the two leaders. Political analyst S. V. Deshmukh said, "This handshake is significant because it breaks the ice after years of hostility. It could be a precursor to more formal talks, especially with the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra." However, both parties downplayed the event. A spokesperson for the BJP said, "It was a casual meeting. There is no political meaning behind it." Similarly, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader remarked, "Uddhavji is always polite. He greeted the CM out of courtesy, but the political differences remain."
The rivalry between Fadnavis and Thackeray has been intense since the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections. The BJP and Shiv Sena contested together but fell out over the chief minister's post, leading to Thackeray forming the MVA government with the NCP and Congress. In June 2022, Shinde's rebellion brought down the MVA government, and Thackeray's faction was reduced to a minority. Since then, the two leaders have exchanged sharp words, with Thackeray accusing the BJP of using the Enforcement Directorate and other agencies to target his party, while Fadnavis has criticized Thackeray for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the state's economy.
Nagpur: A Political Hub
Nagpur, the winter capital of Maharashtra, is a key political center. The city is home to the RSS headquarters and has been a stronghold of the BJP. Thackeray's visit was aimed at strengthening his party's base in the Vidarbha region, which has traditionally been a BJP stronghold. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has been trying to expand its footprint in the region ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.
The handshake has also drawn reactions from other political quarters. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who was also in Nagpur for a separate event, said, "It is good to see leaders from different parties interacting politely. This is the essence of democracy." However, Congress state president Nana Patole dismissed the gesture as "a photo opportunity" and said, "The people of Maharashtra will not forget how the BJP and Shinde stabbed the MVA in the back."
The incident has gone viral on social media, with many users praising the leaders for their civility. Some have called it a sign of political maturity, while others have expressed skepticism, noting that the underlying tensions remain unresolved. As one Twitter user wrote, "A handshake doesn't erase the past. But it's a start."
