Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde Come Face-to-Face After Three Years in Rare Political Moment

Mumbai, 17th July 2025: In what turned into a symbolic moment in Maharashtra’s turbulent political landscape, Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde came face-to-face for the first time since the dramatic 2022 Shiv Sena split, during a farewell ceremony in the state legislative council on July 16.

The political fallout between the two leaders, once colleagues in the same cabinet, has been one of the most intense rivalries in recent state politics. Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022, which saw 40 MLAs break away from the Shiv Sena, led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and the formation of a new government with BJP’s support, catapulting him to the CM’s post. Since then, both leaders have avoided any public interaction, with Thackeray often referring to Shinde as a “traitor” and Shinde returning indirect jabs in his speeches.

However, all eyes were on the state legislative council on Tuesday, where both leaders unexpectedly shared space during the farewell of Council Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve. What followed was a tense yet telling political moment.

Thackeray arrived at the venue shortly after a photo session had begun with CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Upon his arrival, Thackeray greeted Fadnavis and Pawar but his gaze locked briefly in the direction of Shinde, who looked away and turned to shake hands with Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar instead.

Despite repeated requests from those around him, including Danve and Neelam Gorhe, Thackeray hesitated before taking a seat. He eventually smiled and sat beside Gorhe, with Shinde seated just next to her. The moment the two found themselves in the same frame after three years of public estrangement was nothing short of politically charged.

The image of Thackeray, Shinde, and Gorhe seated together has since gone viral, marking a rare instance of both Shiv Sena factions appearing in the same frame since the party’s historic split. Political observers have dubbed it Maharashtra’s own “once-in-a-decade moment,” reflecting how extraordinary this brief interaction was.

Though no words were exchanged, the body language spoke volumes, one leader looking away, the other smiling faintly. As political circles in Maharashtra buzz over this encounter, many have compared it to a cinematic moment, echoing the line: “Pahile na mi tula, tu mala na pahile…” (I didn’t look at you, and you didn’t look at me).

In a state where every gesture carries political weight, this fleeting yet powerful moment could signal more than what met the eye.