Rivals Uddhav, Shinde trade barbs in council as they deliver farewell speeches for LoP Danve

Mumbai, Jul 16 (PTI) Taunts, barbs, simmering emotions were on full display in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday as Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Uddhav Thackeray delivered valedictory speeches at the farewell of Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve.

Speaking at the farewell event in the upper house, Shinde took a dig at Thackeray, his political associate-turned-fierce rival, saying Danve was not born with a golden spoon and positive change should take place in lives of common citizens of Maharashtra.

Thackeray, who heads the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT), spoke immediately after Shinde.

Hitting back at Shinde, Thackeray maintained that although Danve was not born with a golden spoon, he did not "betray those who served him a plate full of food," an apparent reference to the Deputy CM, whose rebellion in June 2022 led to a split in the Shiv Sena.

Although Thackeray and Shinde, who heads the ruling coalition ally Shiv Sena, sat opposite each other on treasury and opposition benches, no pleasantries were exchanged and cold vibes between them were visible.

"You did not betray the party who served you a plate of food. You did not commit the crime of not going to another restaurant (party) for getting more food (power)," Thackeray said, praising his party colleague and outgoing MLC Danve.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) president also took a dig at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his now famous statement 'Me Punha Yein' (I will be back).

Thackeray said, "While your (Danve) term is getting over (as MLC), you again say 'Me Punha Yein' and from the same party (Sena UBT)." 'Me Punha Yein' was a much-talked about slogan given by Fadnavis ahead of the 2019 assembly polls, indicating his resolve to comeback as CM after the elections. Although the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena got a majority in the 2019 assembly polls as allies they parted ways on a bitter note over differences on sharing the chief minister's post.

As Thackeray became CM with Congress and NCP (undivided) support in 2019, Fadnavis, the BJP's first CM in Maharashtra, had to then settle for the Leader of Opposition post and was often ridiculed by political opponents, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, for the 'comeback' slogan.

Thackeray said he wants to thank Fadnavis as Danve was raised in the BJP and the RSS and then joined the undivided Shiv Sena.

"But can he (Fadnavis) return this thanks in a similar way as he, too, has taken people from me," Thackeray said, referring to Shinde and other MLAs and MPs who revolted against him in 2022.

Speaking earlier, Fadnavis noted that since Danve's early political life was spent in the BJP, one can see his abilities like perseverance, organisational skills and eye for details.

Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis maintained Danve is an ardent follower of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar even if he sits next to Congress MLC Satej Patil in the upper house.

"He (Danve) staged protests against loudspeakers on religious sites, but I am not sure he can give such memorandums in current situation," Fadnavis said in a jibe at Thackeray.

Even Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe, who switched sides and joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in 2023, was seen taking part in verbal exchanges.

In a jibe at Thackeray, who is often seen as inaccessible to his party workers, she said Danve has a good quality which is important in politics -- that is he reverts to phone calls and messages.

"If one does not answer phone calls, the person on the other side gets upset and demoralised," she said.

The critics of Thackeray have often accused him of not answering calls and responding to messages.

"I don't like to respond to political criticism because although there are political differences there is no lack of harmony in thoughts. When I went to Prayagraj and took a dip in the Ganga, the anger diminished. Those who cannot eliminate criticism in their mind, they should take bath in the Ganga," Gorhe suggested. PTI PR RSY