CHIEF Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday shared the stage with Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray at a book launch in Mumbai and asserted no one should be surprised since such bonhomie was ‘part of Maharashtra’s political tradition’. Speaking at the launch of a book documenting the works and profiles of 75 cartoonists, the CM said Maharashtra has always maintained a tradition of political dialogue across party lines. “I do not know why some people were surprised to see us sharing a stage. We are not surprised. This is part of Maharashtra’s political tradition.

 

Politicians from different parties can attend the same programme, laugh together and have tea together,” Fadnavis said. “Until 2019, whenever Uddhavji called me, I went. After 2019, he did not call. I was waiting,” the CM added. Long-time allies BJP and (undivided) Shiv Sena parted ways and became archrivals after the Maharashtra assembly polls in 2019 over the sharing of the CM’s post. Fadnavis also announced his willingness to take the initiative to establish a dedicated gallery for cartoonists in Mumbai, adding he would seek the support of Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray for the project.