"Quit Politics, Stick To Photography & Art": Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray & Raj Thackeray Share Stage, Green-Room Huddle Triggers Fresh Political Buzz

A literary book launch in Dadar morphed into a high-octane political theatre on Wednesday as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray shared a stage in a rare, politically charged reunion.

The three heavyweights gathered at the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Smarak Auditorium for the release of senior cartoonist Prashant Kulkarni’s book, Maharashtrachya Hasyarekha, chronicling 100 years of Marathi political cartoons. While the event was billed as a celebration of satire, the real spectacle unspooled through razor-sharp barbs, public digs at past betrayals, and an intriguing closed-door meeting behind the scenes.

Sparks Fly at the Podium: Jabs, Betrayals, and the "2029" Condition

Taking turns at the microphone, the leaders transformed traditional Maharashtrian political banter into calculated salvos aimed at settled scores and current alliances.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took the sharpest swipe of the evening, targeting the artistic backgrounds of the Thackeray cousins—Raj, an accomplished cartoonist, and Uddhav, a professional photographer.

"Since both of you have such exceptional talents in the arts, stick to cartooning and photography, and let me handle the political field in peace," Fadnavis said, drawing roaring laughter from the packed hall.

Fadnavis then turned directly toward Uddhav Thackeray, responding to BJP Minister Ashish Shelar’s earlier remark that the CM always honours invitations from Raj Thackeray. "Up until 2019, whenever Uddhav-ji called me, I went immediately. But after 2019, he completely stopped calling me… I've just been sitting by the phone waiting for an invitation ever since," Fadnavis remarked, referencing the bitter fallout between the former allies after the 2019 assembly elections.

Raj Thackeray was quick to fire back, taking a direct prick at internal BJP dynamics and coalition governance. "I will keep inviting Fadnavis again and again—provided you guys actually keep him in the Chief Minister's chair until 2029," Raj snapped.

Uddhav Thackeray took a dry jab at the contemporary political climate, defending the spirit of satire. Older generations of leaders had the grace to laugh at biting caricatures, Uddhav noted, whereas present-day ruling establishments deploy police machinery and file FIRs against critics over simple digital memes.

Secret Green-Room Huddle Triggers Real Strain in Political Camps

While the podium exchanges offered public entertainment, political corridors across Mumbai were rattled by what transpired prior to the stage appearances.

Before stepping out into the auditorium, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Raj Thackeray held a brief, closed-door huddle inside the green room. The private interaction sent immediate ripples through both the ruling Mahayuti coalition and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance due to critical timing:

• Post-MLC Election Fallout: The gathering followed immediately on the heels of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) election results, where the opposition MVA alliance put up a spirited display by securing three seats, restricting the ruling Mahayuti to two.
• The MNS Wildcard: Raj Thackeray had backed the Mahayuti alliance during the Lok Sabha and Assembly campaigns, but relations between MNS and local BJP leadership have frayed in recent weeks. Raj sharing a room and stage with his estranged cousin Uddhav and ally Fadnavis has reignited intense debate over potential realignment ahead of crucial upcoming civic elections.
  Although BJP leaders moved quickly to clarify that the gathering was purely cultural and strictly non-political, the image of Maharashtra’s three primary political protagonists exchanging jokes on stage—and holding counsel in private—has injected fresh uncertainty into the state’s political landscape.