'Everything is Thanda Thanda, Cool Cool': Eknath Shinde As Devendra Fadnavis Rejects Reports of 'Cold War'

Mumbai: Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has refuted the reports of a 'cold war' with his Deputy Eknath Shinde. The Maharashtra CM has also mocked the Opposition for spreading such rumours during the press conference with his Deputy CMs on Sunday, ahead of the Maharashtra Budget Session.

Fadnavis Dismisses Reports of ‘Cold War' with his Deputy Shinde

While addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting and customary tea party before the Maharashtra Budget Session that starts today, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis responded to rumours about his 'cold war' with Eknath Shinde. 

He said, "There is no war. Those who know both of us will remember what we do when we are together." Both the Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were also part of the press conference. Contrary to the reports circulating, Fadnavis also denied staying any decisions taken by Eknath Shinde; he said, “I have not stayed any decision taken by Shinde.”

‘Everything is Thanda Thanda, Cool Cool’: Eknath Shinde

As the Maharashtra CM dismissed the reports of a cold war with his deputy, Eknath Shinde also made a statement, signaling at peace and unity within the Mahayuti alliance. The Maharashtra Deputy CM said, “Everything is thanda thanda, cool cool. It is just that Fadnavis and I have swapped our chairs. Only Ajit Pawar’s chair is fixed… No matter how many breaking news you give, we (Mahayuti) will not break. What is cold war? There is nothing like that. In this scorching heat of Maharashtra... how is a cold war possible?" Responding to this, Ajit Pawar said, “What can I do if you couldn’t keep your chair?” and everyone burst out laughing.

Also Read: ‘When They Took Me Lightly in 2022’: Eknath Shinde Hints at Govt Shake-Up Amid Reports of Rift in Mahayuti

Maharashtra CM Mocks Opposition for Spreading Rumours

The Maharashtra CM and his deputies also mocked the opposition for spreading false news about a rift within them. Assuring that BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP - all three partners of the MVA Alliance are united and working together, the top three leaders of the state also refuted Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's claim about Eknath Shinde meeting Amit Shah to complain against Devendra Fadnavis. Shinde said that the meeting with Shah was done in Fadnavis' presence; Pawar added that it was a courtesy call at 10:00 am.

Opposition Boycotts Customary Tea Party, Fadnavis Shares 9-Paged Letter

The Maharashtra Chief Minister has also lashed out at the Opposition for boycotting the customary tea party that is held on the eve of the legislative session. Referring to a letter by the Opposition, Devendra Fadnavis said, "It runs into nine pages. It has names of nine opposition leaders, of whom seven have signed. All issues mentioned are based on newspaper reports, and if they had read the government’s response to these articles, the opposition couldn't have written even a half-page letter." “They said the government should have a dialogue with the opposition. When we call them for dialogue, they boycott. None of the senior opposition leaders were present at the meeting. Instead of ‘hum saath saath hai’, it’s ‘hum aapke hai kaun’ being played out in the opposition camp."

(Inputs from PTI)