The brief exchange between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
June 26, 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray found themselves on the same Mumbai-Nagpur flight on Friday, where the two political rivals exchanged a handshake and brief greetings. Photos of the interaction quickly went viral, triggering speculation about possible political developments. However, leaders from both camps dismissed the encounter as a chance meeting and a simple exchange of courtesy.
Fadnavis was travelling to Nagpur for scheduled government and BJP-related programmes, while Thackeray began a three-day tour of Vidarbha and Marathwada. During the visit, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief is expected to review party activities and visit constituencies previously represented by leaders who later joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Despite growing political chatter, there has been no indication of any formal discussion or backchannel communication between the two leaders. The brief interaction once again highlighted how even routine gestures between political rivals in Maharashtra often attract significant public and political attention.