Fadnavis, Thackerays share stage; belly jokes and playful political jabs follow

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared the stage with Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj at a book launch, trading playful jabs and self-deprecating jokes. He recalled asking Raj not to exaggerate his tummy in caricatures, joked about waiting in vain for Uddhav's call after 2019 and quipped that the two should let him focus on politics.

In Short

• Fadnavis shares stage with Uddhav and Raj Thackeray at book launch
• He jokes about cartoons exaggerating his nose and tummy
• Fadnavis recalls waiting for Uddhav's call post-2019

In an unusual meeting of political rivals, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis found himself sharing the stage with Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj for the launch of Maharashtrachya Hasyaresha, a book on the history of Marathi political cartoons.

The BJP and undivided Shiv Sena may have parted ways in 2019 over the chief minister’s post, but there was no shortage of punchlines this time. Fadnavis took a few playful digs at the Thackerays while also making himself the butt of his own jokes.

Taking the stage after Raj Thackeray, Fadnavis recalled once asking the MNS chief to exaggerate his nose or ears in caricatures, but spare his stomach.

“I had once requested Raj Thackeray, when we met at a programme, that if he ever drew cartoons of me, he could make my nose or ears bigger, but not my tummy. He understood and, since then, has not drawn my tummy as large. But others don't listen. They continue to draw my large stomach,” Fadnavis said.

He added that he had tried to reduce his tummy and hoped cartoonists would now leave him alone.

Fadnavis also took a dig at his equation with Uddhav Thackeray, recalling how he would respond whenever the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief called him before 2019. “Until 2019, whenever Uddhavji called me, I went. Even after 2019, I kept waiting. But he did not call,” he said.

The Chief Minister then turned to the Thackerays’ respective talents, saying Raj was known for his caricatures and Uddhav for his photography. “I don't know anything else, so I do politics,” he quipped, before asking the two to let him continue doing just that.

“I understand only politics, so I work in politics. Raj is such a good cartoonist and Uddhav is such a good photographer. They should let me work as a politician,” Fadnavis said.

- Ends