Mumbai, Dec 6 (PTI) Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde exchanged a formal handshake at an event on Saturday, triggering speculation of a reconciliation bid amid strained ties between the two allies.

Chavan was seen initiating the handshake, while Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, responded positively, although he did not speak to the BJP leader during the event held in Kalyan, Thane district.

Political observers said the exchange may be an early sign of both camps attempting to undo weeks of hostility that marked the campaign for local body polls held on December 2.

In the run-up to recent municipal council elections, leaders and district-level workers on the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP had openly criticised each other.

Tensions e

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