Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday took a sharp and sarcastic dig at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' recent suggestion that he consider joining the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Responding at the state legislature, Thackeray invoked the term “chaddi baniyan gang” – originally coined by Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar – to mock the BJP-led government and its inner workings.

“Before talking to you, I was addressing the print media and mentioned the chaddi baniyan gang. They also have a tagline — ‘yeh andar ki baat hai’ (this is an inside matter),” said Thackeray, drawing laughter from the audience while subtly ridiculing the alleged secrecy and internal negotiations within the ruling coalition.

The comment was a response to Fadnavis’ light-hearted invitation during a farewell event for Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve. Fadnavis had said, “There is no scope for us to go to the opposition till 2029. But Uddhav Ji, you have the option of coming here — and we can think about it differently.”

Wadettiwar had earlier slammed the Mahayuti government, branding it a “20 percent commission regime” and comparing it to criminal gangs. He accused the administration of enabling violence and corruption, raising questions about its integrity.

Adding fuel to the political chatter, a closed-door meeting took place the next day between Uddhav Thackeray, CM Eknath Shinde, and Aaditya Thackeray inside the chamber of Legislative Council Chairperson Prof. Ram Shinde. Though the contents of the 20-minute discussion remain unknown, its timing raised eyebrows given the deep rift between Sena (UBT) and BJP since their fallout after the 2019 Assembly elections.

In a symbolic move reflecting his ideological stance, Uddhav Thackeray gifted Fadnavis a book titled "Hindi chi sakti havi ch kashala?" (Why should Hindi be compulsory?), reiterating his support for regional language rights.