No Greetings Or Eye Contact As Shinde, Uddhav 'Cross Paths' First Time After Sena Split | Video

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 21:06 IST

For the first time since the Shiv Sena split, deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray were seen in the same space for the farewell of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Ambadas Danve as LoP

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray greets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and others during an event at the state legislative council on July 16. (Image: PTI/videos)

Awkward, cold, stiff, or even embarrassing — all of these words might be used to describe the “encounter" between Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday.

Most likely for the first time since the Shiv Sena split, Shinde and Uddhav were seen “crossing paths" as the state legislative council gathered to bid farewell to Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve as leader of the opposition.

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But, not before things became painfully awkward for the former colleagues due to a seating arrangement. In a video released by PTI, Uddhav is asked to join Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies — Shinde and Ajit Pawar — as well as leaders of the ruling side.

Uddhav, who is seen lingering on the sidelines, is directed to a chair up front and close to Shinde. Walking over to the other side, he is seen greeting Fadnavis and others with folded hands but Shinde chooses that very moment to fix his spectacles and engage another leader in conversation, completely ignoring Uddhav and refusing to even meet his eyes.

Uddhav, meanwhile, quickly recovers and starts talking to a woman leader and, despite others’ objections, chooses to sit at the far end of the line and a seat away from Shinde.

Just two days ago, sharing a light moment with former shivsainik Pravin Darekar, Uddhav joked that both the Shiv Senas should get back together. Though rivals, Uddhav and Darekar, who is now a BJP MLC, were seen sharing a brief but lively exchange in the Vidhan Bhavan premises during the ongoing monsoon session, in a rare moment of political camaraderie.

During this exchange, Uddhav also took a swipe at Shinde saying: “…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." To which, Darekar replied: “Of course, let us all come together once again."

News politics No Greetings Or Eye Contact As Shinde, Uddhav 'Cross Paths' First Time After Sena Split | Video