CM Devendra Fadnavis meets Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree

Indicating that the ice had broken between the Shiv Sena and BJP, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday night went to Matoshree to meet Uddhav Thackeray, reportedly to discuss pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena President for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

On Thursday, Fadnavis ended his Washim visit abruptly and returned to the city. Initially, reports claimed that he cancelled his programme because of sudden health issues.

Earlier, Sena had issued an ultimatum to BJP that if the latter does not come forward for talks on alliance within 48 hours, Sena would start its election campaign.

Soon after coming back to Mumbai from Aurangabad, Chief Minister Fadnavis met Sena veteran and Industries Minister Subhash Desai. Desai went to Varsha bungalow to meet Fadnavis where BJP senior minister Chandrakant Patil joined Fadnavis.

Soon after this meeting Desai, Fadnavis and Patil left for Matoshree. As per sources Thackeray and Fadnavis discussed various options of seat sharing for pre-poll alliance for Lok Sabha elections as well as for assembly elections in the state.

Speaking about the meeting, Patil, said the discussions with Uddhav were "positive."