Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday debunked reports claiming a secret midnight meeting took place between him and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray at his official residence ‘Varsha’ bungalow.​

The clarification comes amid escalating political heat ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.​

Speculation began after a post by the social media handle ‘Prabuddh Bharat’ claimed that Thackeray visited the Chief Minister’s residence late at night.​

The post suggested the meeting was centred on ensuring an unopposed Legislative Council election to prevent “horse-trading”.​

CM Fadnavis clarified that no such meeting occurred and emphasised that there is no need for secrecy between the two leaders.​

He stated that if he and Uddhav Thackeray were to meet, there would be no need to do it covertly and that they could meet openly.​

He added that there are currently no issues between them that require hiding from the public.​

The Chief Minister slammed the handles spreading the news, calling them “liars” and stating that legal notices would be issued to those intentionally circulating false information.​

Earlier, when questioned about the meeting between CM Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut offered a cryptic response.​

He stated that whether a meeting took place between Uddhav Thackeray and CM Fadnavis is something only those two leaders can confirm.​

The political stir follows the announcement of elections for nine seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on May 12.​

Uddhav Thackeray’s current term will end on May 13, but allies within the Maha Vikas Aghadi are publicly urging him to seek re-election.​

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) leader and Member of Parliament Supriya Sule recently took to social media to formally request Thackeray’s candidacy.​

She stated that the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) earnestly requests that former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray contest the Legislative Council elections, adding that he is a senior and experienced leader whose presence will benefit both the House and the state, and expressing hope that he considers the request positively.​

While the Maha Vikas Aghadi pushes for Thackeray’s nomination, the ruling Mahayuti alliance remains firm that any political dialogue, if it were to happen, would be a matter of public record and not a midnight rendezvous.

​Incidentally, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also extended their support to Uddhav Thackeray’s nomination.

​However, Uddhav Thackeray has not yet revealed his stand on whether he will seek re-election or nominate someone else.​

–IANS

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