Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray NEW DELHI: The BJP was quick to dismiss speculation after party leader and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his political rival, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, were seen travelling on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur.Thackeray, a staunch BJP critic, was accompanied on the flight by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray, along with close aide and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Nagpur is Fadnavis’ hometown.BJP MLC Pratap Lad downplayed the episode, saying political rivalry does not amount to personal enmity.”Although we are political opponents, we are not enemies. We do hold cordial talks. Despite the strained relations between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT), he (Uddhav) attended my daughter’s wedding with his family. We are not adversaries of each other. The CM is known for maintaining friendly relations across party lines,” Lad told a regional news channel.He also expressed surprise that Uddhav Thackeray had opted to travel on a regular commercial flight.”I am surprised that Uddhav Thackeray is travelling by a general passenger plane. Devendra Fadnavis regularly travels between Mumbai and Nagpur by air, so there is nothing unusual about his journey,” Lad added.The development comes days after six Lok Sabha MPs switched from Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, a BJP ally.Lad claimed the defections had been in the works for the past four months, while denying any BJP involvement.”The Lok Sabha members did not defect suddenly; the process had been underway for the last four months. The BJP has nothing to do with their defection. Thackeray may be disappointed by these developments, but I still saw a smile on his face,” he remarked.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTrichy East Bypoll Buzz: DMK Chief Will MK Stalin Contest To Make Assembly Comeback?Major Anti-Naxal Success: Forces Recover Rs 24 Lakh, Rifles & Explosives From Maoist Dumps In BastarShashi Tharoor Raises Concerns Over Passport Status And Citizenship; Calls For Legal ReformKetan Agarwal Murder Case: Siya Goyal, Chetan Chowdhary Blame Each Other For ConspiracyOperation Amistad: India Airlifts Army Field Hospital, BHISHM Cubes Relief To VenezuelaRam Mandir Trust Chief Champat Rai QUITS On ‘Moral Grounds’ After SIT Probe & 8 Arrests’You Have Two Days…’ Sonam Wangchuk Sets ‘New’ Deadline, Threatens Indefinite Hunger StrikeGovt Officially Reveals Names Of Six Soldiers Killed In Action During Operation SindoorNCERT Adds Section On SIR; Cites Manusmriti To Highlight Respect For Women In Vedic PeriodCM Yogi Targets Akhilesh, Says ‘Don’t Test Ram Devotees’; Warns Against Tarnishing Ayodhya’s Image123PhotostoriesFIFA World Cup 2026 underdog Cape Verde isn’t just making headlines on the field; where is it and what should travellers know10 baby girl names inspired by ‘legendary women’ in mythology across the world5 traditional things people used to clean utensils before dishwashing liquid existedMom-to-be Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s pink saree glow-up is the only fashion fairytale we’re here forRelationship lessons to take from Kajol and Ajay DevgnStunning pictures of Abu Dhabi’s Dar al Funoon ‘House of the Arts’Love quote of the day by Samantha Ruth Prabhu: ‘If you look for someone else to complete you, then it won’t go well’Monsoon Special: 9 deep-fried vegetarian Bengali snacks to enjoy with chaiYou share the bed, the house, but still feel empty? This silent syndrome could be wrecking your love life6 foods kings and royals in ancient India reportedly loved eating123Hot PicksIndia vs IrelandShamirpet TahsildarIndia Bullet trainFIFA world cup 2026India US Trade dealDelhi rape-murderMumbai local murderBrittany MahomesKetan Agarwal MurderTop TrendingDoug MartinShreyas IyerIndian Citizenship document proofFIFA World Cup 2026KEAM Rank List 2026Mumba Local Train MurderMEA PassportNandani BosmiyaMK StalinMumbai Local Train News
NEW DELHI: The BJP was quick to dismiss speculation after party leader and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his political rival, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, were seen travelling on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur.Thackeray, a staunch BJP critic, was accompanied on the flight by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray, along with close aide and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Nagpur is Fadnavis’ hometown.BJP MLC Pratap Lad downplayed the episode, saying political rivalry does not amount to personal enmity.“Although we are political opponents, we are not enemies. We do hold cordial talks. Despite the strained relations between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT), he (Uddhav) attended my daughter’s wedding with his family. We are not adversaries of each other. The CM is known for maintaining friendly relations across party lines,” Lad told a regional news channel.He also expressed surprise that Uddhav Thackeray had opted to travel on a regular commercial flight.“I am surprised that Uddhav Thackeray is travelling by a general passenger plane. Devendra Fadnavis regularly travels between Mumbai and Nagpur by air, so there is nothing unusual about his journey,” Lad added.The development comes days after six Lok Sabha MPs switched from Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, a BJP ally.Lad claimed the defections had been in the works for the past four months, while denying any BJP involvement.“The Lok Sabha members did not defect suddenly; the process had been underway for the last four months. The BJP has nothing to do with their defection. Thackeray may be disappointed by these developments, but I still saw a smile on his face,” he remarked.(With PTI inputs)
