Fadnavis shares stage with Uddhav and Raj Thackeray at Mumbai book launch, says no cause for surprise

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared a stage in Mumbai on Thursday with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at a book launch. Fadnavis said that keeping up political cordiality across party lines is a Maharashtra tradition, so there was no reason for surprise.

The event was the launch of "Maharashtrachi Hasyarekha", a book that documents the work and profiles of 75 cartoonists. Speaking from the stage, Fadnavis said the state has a long tradition of dialogue that goes beyond party lines.

Fadnavis said, "I do not know why some people were surprised that we came on one stage. We are not surprised. This is a tradition of Maharashtra's politics. Leaders of different parties can attend the same event, laugh together and have tea together."

The Chief Minister added, "Until 2019, whenever Uddhavji called, I went. After 2019, he did not call. I was waiting."

The BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena were once long-standing allies. After the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly election, they parted ways over the sharing of the chief minister's post and became political rivals.

Fadnavis also said there is a proposal to set up a dedicated gallery for cartoonists in Mumbai. He said he was ready to take the initiative and would seek the cooperation of both Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray for the project.

He said, "There is a proposal to set up a dedicated gallery for cartoonists in Mumbai. I will certainly take the initiative for this, and I will also seek the cooperation of Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray to set up a gallery where cartoonists' works can be displayed."

Calling cartooning an extraordinary art, Fadnavis said a single cartoon can convey a message as effectively as an editorial. "An editorial explains a matter in detail, but a cartoon can deliver the same message just as effectively. Politicians are often the subjects of cartoons. But if a cartoon is drawn of you, do not feel bad about it. Enjoy it," he said.

The Chief Minister said Marathi cartoonists have consistently recorded important developments, depicted the political climate and provided a medium for expressing dissent and criticism.

Fadnavis congratulated the editor, Prashant Kulkarni, and Granthali for putting together the collection. He said the compilation is valuable because old cartoons have been preserved along with their historical context.

Referring to Raj Thackeray's cartooning in a light-hearted vein, Fadnavis also recounted an anecdote. He said he had told Raj Thackeray that if he ever drew a cartoon of him, he should draw his nose big.