Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray appeared together for the first time at the Savarkar Smarak in Dadar. They opened the launch of Prashant Kulkarni’s book "Maharashtrachya Hasyaresha", a chronicle of Marathi political cartoons. The trio’s presence drew immediate attention amid rising tensions over water and land issues in Maharashtra.
Culture Minister Ashish Shelar welcomed Fadnavis, praising his willingness to accept an invitation from Raj Thackeray. He said political leaders should set aside differences for art and culture. Raj Thackeray replied that he would invite Fadnavis again—provided Shelar keeps him as chief minister until 2029. The remark left the audience in stitches.
Fadnavis responded with equal humor, noting he accepts any invite, even from Uddhav Thackeray, who has not called him since 2019. He added that he deliberately stays on the right to deliver his address, poking fun at the leaders’ drifting to the left. He capped his speech by suggesting Raj should stick to his core talent as a cartoonist while he handles politics.
The exchange highlighted the personal rapport between the leaders despite political rivalry. Analysts say the light‑hearted moment could soften the public’s view of their feud over state policies. The book launch, a rare platform for bipartisan interaction, may set the stage for future collaborations.
The event is expected to influence public sentiment as the next Maharashtra elections loom, with pundits debating whether the leaders’ camaraderie will translate into political concessions.