CM tweets sapling plantation by Uddhav in 2016

A tweet by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the occasion of launching the mega sapling plantation drive today is seen as an attempt to woo estranged ally the Shiv Sena.

"Gladdened to see how the saplings planted exactly 2 years ago have grown into trees today!" "I had planted 'Tamhan', 'Sonchafa' by Uddhav ji Thackeray, Banyan tree by union minister Prakash Javdekar ji and Neem by Sudhirbhau Mungantiwar," the CM tweeted while reminiscing planting of saplings at the Mahim Nature Park two years ago.

He hashtagged the tweet with #VanMahotsav, referring to the state government's mass sapling plantation drive in the state, to increase the green cover.

Thackeray is the only non-BJP person named in the CM's tweet, which is seen as another attempt by the BJP to placate the miffed ally.

Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is the biggest political ally of the BJP at the national as well as the state level with 18 MPs in Lok Sabha and 62 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly.

The tweet came in the backdrop of victory of the Sena in recently held legislative council elections for four seats in which the BJP could bag only one seat.