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NEW DELHI: The BJP was quick to dismiss speculation after party leader and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his political rival, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, were seen travelling on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur.Thackeray, a staunch BJP critic, was accompanied on the flight by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray, along with close aide and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Nagpur is Fadnavis’ hometown.BJP MLC Pratap Lad downplayed the episode, saying political rivalry does not amount to personal enmity.“Although we are political opponents, we are not enemies. We do hold cordial talks. Despite the strained relations between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT), he (Uddhav) attended my daughter’s wedding with his family. We are not adversaries of each other. The CM is known for maintaining friendly relations across party lines,” Lad told a regional news channel.He also expressed surprise that Uddhav Thackeray had opted to travel on a regular commercial flight.“I am surprised that Uddhav Thackeray is travelling by a general passenger plane. Devendra Fadnavis regularly travels between Mumbai and Nagpur by air, so there is nothing unusual about his journey,” Lad added.The development comes days after six Lok Sabha MPs switched from Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, a BJP ally.Lad claimed the defections had been in the works for the past four months, while denying any BJP involvement.“The Lok Sabha members did not defect suddenly; the process had been underway for the last four months. The BJP has nothing to do with their defection. Thackeray may be disappointed by these developments, but I still saw a smile on his face,” he remarked.(With PTI inputs)
