He emphasized that his previous comments were aimed at rivals, not allies, and criticized Uddhav Thackeray for abandoning Balasaheb’s ideology, leading to his political downfall.

NAGPUR: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Friday refuted reports of a rift with CM Devendra Fadnavis, saying their bond is like “Fevicol”, and clarified the “don’t take me lightly” comments made at Mumbai on Tuesday, was not for allies, but rivals.
On a one-day tour of Vidarbha, Shinde said that voters have given Uddhav Thackeray such a “dhakka” (tremor) that Shiv Sena (UBT) has been forced to permanently sit at home.
Responding to a media query on his past statements about “don’t take me lightly”, Shinde clarified he first said this in 2022. “The first speech I gave in the assembly after becoming CM, was that Devendra Fadnavis and I will win 230-plus seats, hence do not take me lightly,” said Shinde on Friday.
Repeating his Tuesday’s statement, Shinde added, “Those who took me lightly saw what happened in 2022, I overturned the horse carriage and ushered a govt of the people.” Shinde added that those “smart enough, will get my message”.
Rallying Sena cadres at Nagpur and Gondia in the evening, Shinde downplayed reports of a rift with Fadnavis. “We work like a team, a strong team. Yeh fevicol ka jod hain, tutega nahi. I told this to reporters that we (Mahayuti) are united. Some people will continue to drive a wedge, but won’t succeed. There’s absolutely no cold war,” said Shinde.
Taking a swipe at Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said people have dealt a strong “dhakka” and forced him to sit at home. The “dhakka” word gained political currency in a series of barbs traded between both factions of the Sena, with Uddhav on Thursday saying he is the “dhakka purush”.
Replying to Uddhav’s statement, Shinde said “People gave UBT a big ‘dhakka’ as they abandoned Balasaheb’s ideology and pushed out loyal party members.”
Shinde likened Uddhav to movie Sholay’s character played by actor Asrani. “It’s like the “angrezon ke zamaane ke jailor”. When he says remaining soldiers should come with him, nobody is actually following him,” said Shinde.
He said there are many masks worn by a “masoom chehra” (innocent face). “Many people are quitting UBT because they have finally seen the real face behind the mask,” Shinde said.