'He has that face': Fadnavis quashes 'sulking' Shinde rumours

CM Devendra Fadnavis with his deputy Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday refuted rift rumours of rift with his deputy Eknath Shinde.

Fadnavis, in an interview to Moneycontrol's Managing Editor Nalin Mehta at the Global Wealth Summit 2025 in Mumbai, suggested that people are coming to conclusions since Shinde has a certain personality and always "looks serious".

"He looked serious even when he was the chief minister. No one asked these questions then. Now, that he is not the CM, people are saying - look, Shinde ji isn't smiling, he is sulking. If a person has a serious look on him, then how can he be seen smiling ... Everyone has a personality, there is no problem, we are together," the CM said in a lighter vein.

The CM also blamed the media for "manufacturing" misleading news.

"These are manufactured, coloured and motivated news reports. Sab mast chal raha hai (All's going well)," Fadnavis said. He expressed confidence that Mahayuti will contest the upcoming BMC elections unitedly and install its mayor in Mumbai.

Shinde's absence from several government events gave rise to the speculation that he was still sulking after stepping down as Chief Minister.

He also clarified that the relationship was never bad with the opposition, especially Uddhav Thackeray. "Uddhav Thackeray and I pick each other's phone now," said Fadnavis.

The CM admitted that there was a time in Maharashtra politics when opposition was not being seen as political opponents but enemies. "However, when I returned to head the government, I made it clear that I am here for 'Badlaav' (change) and not 'badla' (revenge). I want to engage in dialogue. My focus is on development. The relationship between us is fine and we can still talk to each other on the phone," Fadnavis told Moneycontrol.

According to the CM, the opposition should be sensible and should have vision for the country. "We don't want to take revenge with the Opposition, but we want to make a change," said Fadnavis.