Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray travel together on flight to Nagpur

On June 26, 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray were seen sharing a commercial flight from Mumbai to Nagpur. The sighting occurred amid a political crisis in the state, dubbed “Operation Tiger,” in which six Shiv Sena MPs have defected to the faction led by Eknath Shinde. Also aboard were senior Shiv Sena figures including Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Vinayak Raut and Anil Desai.

The joint travel sparked speculation that any direct discussion between the two rivals could reshape alliances ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, where the balance of power remains uncertain. Analysts note that while the meeting may have been coincidental, it underscores the heightened tension within the state’s political landscape.