In an unusual gesture, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Thursday night visited Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s Bandra residence “Matoshri” in north-west Mumbai for a dinner.
Official sources confirmed that Koshyari headed from Raj Bhavan to “Matoshri” at 8 pm to break bread with Uddhav.
On his arrival, the Governor was welcomed at “Matoshrri” by Uddhav himself, his wife Rashmi, his Cabinet Minister-son Aditya and youngest son Tejas. The Governor was at “Matoshri” for more than a hour.
Incidentally, Kohyari had hosted breakfast for Uddhav and his wife Rashmi at Raj Bhavan after the latter assumed office as the chief minister early last month.
“In return, Uddhav hosted a dinner for the Governor. The Governor readily accepted the chief minister’s invite and visited “Matoshri” had dinner with Uddhav and his other family members,” a Shiv Sena leader close to the chief minister said.
Thackerays had laid out a special meal for the Governor. However, it was not known immediately know what were the dishes that were laid out at the dinner for Koshyari who prefers simple vegetarian food.
The Governor’s visit to Uddhav’s residence came to be described in the State political as “dinner diplomacy” initiated by the chief minister and responded positively by Koshyari.
It may be recalled that the relations between the Governor and the Shiv Sena had soured after Koshyari declined to invite the party to form a government on November 11 and subsequently on November 23, he hastily swore in BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and NCP’s breakaway group leader Ajit Pawar as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively.
Later, the Shiv Sena along other affected parties moved the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation extended by the Governor to the BJP to form a government. On November 26, the apex court ordered the floor test in the State Assembly the following day. The subsequent developments that took place on the day (November 26) saw Ajit Pawar put in his papers, leading to the immediate resignation of Fadnavis and consequent collapse of the BJP-led government within a record 80 hours.
Thursday's dinner meeting between Koshyari and Uddhav came in handy for the both in improving the personal relations between them. However, this is not for the first time that the state Governor has visited the chief minister’s residence. It may be recalled that a few years ago, then Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and his wife had visited the former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the latter’s official bungalow, ‘Varsha’ when the latter’s daughter Divija was injured in an accident.
