Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed reports of a secret meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, the president of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party, asserting there was no reason for such discussions. Speaking at the Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik, Fadnavis clarified that no meetings regarding the upcoming Legislative Council elections on May 12 were held. He emphasized that if a meeting were necessary, it could occur openly, and he threatened legal action against those circulating false claims. Fadnavis also addressed a separate controversy involving Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who allegedly threatened a publisher over a decades-old book. He expressed confidence that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would handle the situation appropriately. Additionally, Fadnavis highlighted the government's initiatives to make Maharashtra drought-free through river-linking projects and ensure the Godavari River is pollution-free ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.