Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited ‘Matoshree', the residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai, on Thursday, 23 May, as the NDA appeared set for a resounding victory in Lok Sabha elections.
The two leaders exchanged sweets and said their alliance will last even beyond the Assembly elections in Maharashtra, due later this year.
RPI leader and Union minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athavale was also present on the occasion.
Fadnavis said he was happy that people had given the BJP-led alliance a clear mandate not only in Maharashtra but in the entire country.
"We want to repay the love and affection of people and we will get back to work immediately," he said, adding that the focus will be on positive campaign.
“I pay homage to late (Sena founder) Balasaheb Thackeray and also late (BJP leader) Gopinath Munde. Balasaheb was the inspiration behind our alliance.”Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra Chief Minister
Asked by reporters about Sena candidates trailing in Shirur, Amravati and Raigad, Uddhav Thackeray said, "I am not affected by defeat, nor do I get vain with victory."
Asked about the future of his alliance with the BJP, he said it would last beyond the coming Assembly polls.
Thackeray also took a jibe at his estranged cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who had campaigned against the BJP using audio-video presentations.
In an apparent riff on MNS chief's popular line during his speeches, Uddhav said, "I can only say “burst the crackers”.
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