Two days after Uddhav Thackeray shared a humorous moment regarding the need for unity between the two Shiv Senas, it was time for Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to deliver a few witty remarks.

A few unexpected comments during the ongoing monsoon session led Fadnavis to ignite speculation about potential political maneuvers that may or may not involve Thackeray.

While addressing the Maharashtra assembly on Wednesday, the chief minister opted to speak directly to his former ally.

“(Uddhav ji) you could be considered for inclusion here (in the ruling party),” Fadnavis remarked, seemingly laughing and sharing a joke. “At least until 2029, there is no possibility for us to move there (to the opposition). Uddhav ji might contemplate the possibility of joining us (the ruling party), and that can be considered in a different light, but there is absolutely no chance left for us to go there (to the opposition).”

These pointed comments were particularly notable against the backdrop of a potential alliance between Uddhav’s Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the upcoming civic body elections in Mumbai. The MNS, which has previously supported the BJP in elections, has yet to clarify its intentions. On July 5, the two Thackeray cousins shared a political platform for the first time in two decades to commemorate the BJP-led Maharashtra government’s decision to retract two controversial orders that had mandated Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools.

In April, Raj Thackeray fueled speculation about a possible political reconciliation with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, suggesting that their past disagreements were “trivial” and that uniting for the greater good of “Marathi manoos” (Marathi people) should not be a challenging endeavor. The conversation gained momentum when Uddhav expressed his willingness to set aside minor disputes, provided that those acting against Maharashtra’s interests would not be tolerated.