Yeh Andar Ki Baat Hai’: Uddhav Thackeray Quips Back at Fadnavis’ ‘Join Us’ Offer

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Friday responded sharply to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ light-hearted invitation to “come to the ruling side,” using sarcasm and a pointed metaphor to dismiss the suggestion during a press interaction at the state assembly.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Thackeray remarked, “Before speaking to you, I spoke to the print media about the chaddi baniyan gang. Chaddi baniyans also have an advertisement – yeh andar ki baat hai (this is an inside matter).” His comment, layered with satire, came days after Fadnavis publicly stated there was “scope” for Thackeray to join the ruling side, while the BJP had “no scope” to switch to the opposition until 2029.

Fadnavis made the remark on Wednesday during a farewell function for outgoing Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, suggesting that Uddhav could consider aligning with the ruling Mahayuti alliance, hinting at potential reconciliation despite past political differences.

The “chaddi baniyan gang” reference by Thackeray drew from Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar’s recent criticism of the BJP-led government, which he accused of turning Maharashtra into a “20 per cent commission state,” comparing the ruling alliance’s alleged tactics to that of criminal gangs in Pune.

The exchange comes against the backdrop of the 2019 fallout between the BJP and Shiv Sena after disagreements over the Chief Minister’s post, which led to a major realignment in Maharashtra’s politics. Since then, Thackeray’s faction has maintained its opposition stance while repeatedly targeting the BJP on governance and corruption issues.

Interestingly, just a day after Fadnavis’ remarks, Thackeray met the Chief Minister in the legislative council chairperson’s chamber in Mumbai for a half-hour discussion, accompanied by his son, Aaditya Thackeray, who is an MLA from Worli. Details of the meeting remain undisclosed, fueling speculation about possible back-channel discussions even as both sides publicly maintain their respective positions.

Political observers noted that the timing of Fadnavis’ comments and the subsequent meeting have stirred discussions within Maharashtra’s political circles, especially as the state gears up for the assembly elections later this year.