Mumbai: As a part of ongoing bonhomie between the twi Hindutva allies, the Shiv Sena has invited chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for its 53rd anniversary event to be held at Shanmukhananda Hall, Matunga, on Wednesday evening. Mr Fadnavis will be the first leader from another party to address Shiv Sena workers on the party’s Foundation Day.
Shiv Sena spokesperson and member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut confirmed the news on Tuesday. He said that Mr Fadnavis will be present for the event.
“It will be the first time that a leader from another party will attend Sena’s Foundation Day event. Only Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray and party president Uddhav have addressed the anniversary function till date,” Mr Raut said.
According to sources, the party leadership has decided to invite Mr Fadnavis for the event to send a positive signal among the cadre ahead of the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls.
Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray will also be present at the event along with all party officials, MPs, members of the Legislative Assembly, members of Legislative Council and district and taluka-level leaders.
A party insider said, the decision to extend an invitation to the chief minister was taken in the meeting at Matoshri, the residence of Thackeray family. Mr Fadanvis also accepted the invite and has agreed to attend the event.
After an acrimonious relationship of four years, the Sena decided to bury the hatchet with the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls and decided to contest elections together. The move paid rich dividends as Sena won 18 seats out of 23 it had contested in the polls.
