Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, a day after the BJP leader extended a tongue-in-cheek invitation to Thackeray to join the ruling alliance. The meeting took place in the chamber of Legislative Council Chairperson Ram Shinde and lasted around 20 minutes. Uddhav Thackeray was accompanied by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray.

According to Aaditya Thackeray, they handed Fadnavis a compilation of articles written by several journalists and editors opposing the implementation of a three-language policy from Class 1.

“Today we gave him a compilation of why there should not be a three-language policy from the first class as written by many journalists and editors…” he said.

During the meeting, issues such as the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and the controversial three-language policy were discussed.

Uddhav Thackeray presented a book titled ‘Why do we need Hindi?’, a collection of articles by various editors from Maharashtra. While Fadnavis accepted the book, he reportedly suggested that a copy also be submitted to Narendra Jadhav, who heads the committee reviewing the three-language policy decision.

The meeting came just a day after Devendra Fadnavis made a public remark during a farewell function for Leader of the Opposition in the Council, Ambadas Danve. In his speech, Fadnavis stated that while the BJP would not join the Opposition, Uddhav Thackeray was welcome to consider joining the ruling side.

“At least till 2029, there is no scope for us to come there (Opposition). Uddhav Ji can think about the scope of coming to this side (ruling party) and that can be thought about in a different way, but there is absolutely no scope left for us to come there (Opposition),” Fadnavis had said.

The meeting also comes days after Uddhav Thackeray reunited with his cousin Raj Thackeray after over two decades, signaling a potential recalibration of alliances in the lead-up to the upcoming municipal elections in Mumbai.

– Ends