They are arch-rivals in Maharashtra's political arena, taking swipes and unleashing barbs at each other as the state gears up for the November 20 Assembly election. But in a rare moment of political bonhomie, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shook hands and exchanged laughs at the NDTV Marathi's Jahirnama event today. The two leaders also posed for a photograph, and Mr Fadnavis quipped, "(This is) the photo of the year."
The 288 Assembly segments of the Maharashtra will vote on November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23.
Maharashtra's political landscape has completely changed between the 2019 state polls and the upcoming election. In 2019, the BJP and Shiv Sena alliance scored a thumping victory. The alliance fell through due to a disagreement over rotational chief ministership. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray then tied up with Sharad Pawar's NCP and the Congress to form the government. This government was toppled two years later due to a mutiny led by Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who then became Chief Minister with BJP's support. The Sena split and the NCP followed. Currently, the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP are part of the ruling coalition. They are up against the alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP.
The BJP-Sena-NCP alliance suffered a setback in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, winning just 17 of the 48 seats in the politically significant state. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, on the other hand, put up a stellar show by winning 30 seats.
In this election, the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP combine is looking to recover from the Lok Sabha polls setback, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising Sena (UBT), NCP and the Congress is going all-out to wrest power and script a comeback story.
Featured Video Of The Day
Trump Picks Matt Whitaker As US Ambassador To NATO
Maharashtra's 65.1% Voter Turnout Is 2nd Highest 1990s, Highest In A Decade Mahayuti vs Opposition On "Fraud" Exit Polls As Maharashtra Awaits Result Maharashtra Records 65% Voter Turnout In High-Stakes Assembly Elections Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think Noted Surgeon Dr Mathew Varghese Named 'The One International' South Korea Court Jails Ex-Fiance Of Olympic Medalist For 13 Years Trump Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws As Nominee For US Attorney General Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.