In a surprising turn of political camaraderie, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray held a key meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence ‘Varsha’ in Mumbai on Wednesday. The discussion zeroed in on preserving Mumbai’s rich architectural heritage and historic buildings, signaling a potential thaw in relations post recent civic polls.
Shinde, accompanied by his son Dr. Shrikant Shinde, hosted Thackeray at the heritage-laden Nandnvan bungalow. Thackeray showed keen interest in rare, vintage photographs of Mumbai’s iconic structures adorning the walls. He reminisced about the historical anecdotes linked to these landmarks, praising ongoing efforts to safeguard the city’s unique architectural identity.
According to an official statement from the Deputy CM’s office, the conversation delved deeply into heritage photography and conservation strategies. Shinde outlined government policies designed to protect and promote heritage-style constructions across the metropolis.
The Nandnvan residence itself stands as a testament to Mumbai’s colonial-era architecture, drawing Thackeray’s admiration. He inspected the premises, highlighting elements developed in matching styles to maintain the property’s historical essence.
Shinde shared how, during his tenure as Chief Minister, he spearheaded initiatives to boost heritage buildings and preserve traditional architectural features. This meeting gains extra significance as the first face-to-face interaction since the BMC elections, where political alliances diverged sharply.
Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, allied with BJP, secured 29 seats, while MNS, partnering with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), clinched six. Observers see this dialogue on Mumbai’s legacy as a bridge over past electoral divides, possibly hinting at future collaborations to protect the city’s soul.