CM Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar during the tree plantation drive at Maharashtra Nature Park. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav )
CM Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar during the tree plantation drive at Maharashtra Nature Park. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav )
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday used the occasion of plantation drive of 2 crore trees to broker peace with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Both the leaders were present at the event.
Mr Fadnavis pointed out that he watered the sapling sown by Mr Thackeray and it would grow up to be a big tree just like the friendship between Shiv Sena and BJP. However, Mr Thackeray was diplomatic and said he would support the BJP in all “constructive work”.
Both the parties have been at loggerheads since they broke the alliance before the state Assembly elections in 2014. Later, though the Shiv Sena joined the BJP in the government, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party has continued to criticise BJP governments at the Centre and in the state through its mouthpiece Saamana. Recently, even the BJP hit back by targeting Sena leaders and party workers from both sides took to streets voicing their protest against each other.
“Today, Mr Thackeray planted a tree. I watered it. I think this will send the right message and the plant sown by us will become a big tree,” said Mr Fadnavis at the function in Mahim, in a perceived attempt at extending the olive branch to its oldest ally.
Mr Thackeray welcomed the tree plantation initiative and specified that he would be with the BJP whenever there is a constructive work. “Global warming is an issue and therefore it is a good initiative. I am confident that the target of planting two crore trees will be achieved in two hours. I have not come here as a bad omen. I will support every constructive work,” he said.
The leaders of the two parties were locked in verbal duels with the supporters of each even resorting to burning effigies just a few days ago. However, now it appears that the BJP leaders have made the first move to mend ways. Senior BJP minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had visited Mr Thackeray residence in Bandra to extend the invitation for the government’s ambitious programme of planting two crore saplings and also presented a life-size replica of a tiger to the Sena president.
