Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) Though rivals, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and BJP MLC Pravin Darekar were seen sharing a brief, but lively exchange in the Vidhan Bhavan premises on Monday during the ongoing monsoon session, in a rare moment of political camaraderie.
During the exchange, Darekar called himself a "100 per cent Shiv Sainik" of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, while Uddhav Thackeray told the BJP leader to return to his party if he truly wants to work for Marathi-speaking people.
Once a Shiv Sainik who later joined the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and is now a BJP legislator, Darekar handed over a report on self-redevelopment project study group to Thackeray, who is also an MLC.
Their conversation soon turned informal, drawing attention from nearby party workers.
"I am always open to speak with you if your efforts are genuine," Thackeray told Darekar.
To this, the BJP legislator replied, "I am 100 per cent a Shiv Sainik of Balasaheb (Thackeray). No one can question my integrity."
Amused, Thackeray responded with a jibe apparently aimed at the Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde, a BJP ally.
"Then tell those bogus Shiv Sainiks to be honest too. If you're truly working in the interest of the Marathi people, we can work together, but for that, you will have to return to the Shiv Sena," the former CM remarked.
Darekar, in good humour, replied, "Of course, let us all come together once again."
The brief exchange stood out against the backdrop of continued tensions between the Shiv Sena, which split in June 2022, and the BJP since the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in 2019.