I don’t have wings so no doubt someone would clip them: Fadnavis, claims support from BJP leaders

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File. | Photo credit: PTI

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday (June 28, 2026) said he has the blessings of 14 crore people of Maharashtra and senior BJP leaders and said no one can clip his wings, downplaying Sena (UBT) leader Uddhava Thackeray’s “Operation Devendra” remark.

He also dismissed the political ruckus triggered after he and former ally-turned-rival Uddhav Thackeray traveled on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Friday (June 26, 2026), saying it was a “coincidence”.

Responding to intense speculation in the state’s political circles, Mr. Fadnavis called it a “vedyancha bazaar” (mad market), noting that it was not unusual for two leaders to travel on the same flight.

Mr. Fadnavis also played down Mr. Thackerey’s “Operation Devendra” remark, saying that since it has no wings, no one can clip it.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting Palghar district to review the Vadhavan port and other infrastructure projects.

Addressing a rally on Saturday (June 27, 2026), Mr Thackeray caused a stir by saying that “Operation Tiger” was actually “Operation Devendra” to downsize the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to ensure that he does not contest for the (future) Prime Ministerial post.

“Political issues are secondary to me. All my focus is on development,” Mr Fadnavis said when asked about Mr Thackeray’s remarks.

“I am a human being. I have no wings so who can clip them? I have the blessings of 14 crore people of Maharashtra and my senior leaders so there is no need to worry,” he added.

“Operation Tiger” is the code name for creating a split in the Shiv Sena (UBT), which culminated in the defection of six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena last week.

Mr Fadnavis said he was surprised by the political uproar after he and former ally-turned-rival Uddhav Thackeray traveled on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Friday (June 26, 2026).

“It was a coincidence. There is nothing unusual about two leaders traveling on the same flight. Sometimes I wonder if we are in politics or a ‘vedyancha bazar’ (mad market),” Mr Fadnavis said.

Claiming that there was no significant interaction during the flight, Mr. Fadnavis said, “He (Uddhav) sat in one corner and I sat in another. If we sat next to each other, we could have talked. What’s wrong with that?”

Responding to Mr Thackeray’s claim that he seemed “helpless” during the journey, Mr Fadnavis said he spent time on the flight watching a movie or a web series downloaded on his mobile phone.

“From the moment the flight took off until it landed, I watched it. So where exactly did they see any helplessness on my face?” he asked.

The senior BJP leader looked at Mr Thackeray and said, “I accept his good wishes. Had he given them in 2019, the picture could have been different. Since he could not do that, I accept those wishes now.”

Published – 29 Jun 2026 08:55 IST