Overview
- Devendra Fadnavis, speaking in Nashik on Saturday, rejected claims of a late-night meeting with Uddhav Thackeray and said legal notices will go to accounts spreading the report.
- The rumor traced to Prabuddha Bharat, a platform linked to Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, which placed Thackeray at Varsha, the CM’s official residence in Mumbai, around midnight.
- The post suggested talks to secure unopposed Legislative Council seats and stop horse-trading, a narrative Fadnavis called false.
- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said only the two leaders can confirm any meeting, as voting for nine Council seats is set for May 12 and Thackeray’s current term ends May 13.
- Deccan Chronicle reported that the chatter stirred questions about Eknath Shinde’s sway in the ruling alliance, while Fadnavis said any talks with Thackeray would be held in the open.