Devendra Fadnavis Shares Flight With Uddhav Thackeray, Calls It 'Biggest News Of The Day'

Last Updated:June 26, 2026, 22:32 IST

The two leaders reportedly greeted each other with a handshake and briefly exchanged words during the journey.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray were seen travelling on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Friday, prompting speculation over the rare encounter between the political rivals.

The two leaders reportedly greeted each other with a handshake and briefly exchanged words during the journey. Uddhav Thackeray was accompanied by his son, former minister Aaditya Thackeray, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut.

Referring to the unusual sight, Fadnavis quipped, “The three of us meeting together is the biggest news of the day," according to NDTV.

The meeting comes at a politically significant time in Maharashtra. It follows the recent exit of six Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), while the former chief minister is preparing to tour constituencies represented by the defecting lawmakers.

Despite the buzz, the BJP brushed aside suggestions of any political message behind the shared flight, maintaining that cordial personal relations between leaders often exist despite sharp political differences.

BJP MLC Prasad Lad said he was more surprised by Thackeray’s choice of transport than by the leaders travelling together.

“I am surprised that Uddhav Thackeray is travelling by a general passenger plane. Devendra Fadnavis regularly travels between Mumbai and Nagpur by plane, so there is nothing surprising about his journey," Lad told a regional news channel.

Also Read: Shiv Sena (UBT) Risks Losing Parliament Office After Six MPs Join Eknath Shinde Camp

Emphasising that political rivalry does not translate into personal hostility, Lad added, “Although we are political opponents, we are not enemies. We do hold cordial talks. Despite the strained relations between the BJP and the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), he (Uddhav) attended my daughter’s wedding with his family. We are not adversaries of each other."

Lad further said Fadnavis has always maintained friendly ties with leaders across the political spectrum and insisted there was “nothing political" about the two sharing a flight.

Addressing the recent exodus of MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT), he rejected allegations of the BJP’s involvement.

“The Lok Sabha members did not defect suddenly, but the process was going on for the last four months. The BJP has nothing to do with their defection. Thackeray may be disappointed with such developments, but I still saw a smile on his face," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare also dismissed attempts to attach political significance to the encounter.

“I also don’t see any significance in such a meeting. It is a coincidence and nothing more than that," Andhare said.

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Prisha Vibhavari

Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st...Read More

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