Mumbai: Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is also Shiv Sena president, during a virtual interaction with the Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and other opposition parties at the Centre on Friday urged them all to unite against the BJP and to gain the confidence of the people. Congress is part of the Sena-led MVA government in Maharashtra along with the NCP.
Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who accompanied Thackeray, told TOI that it was a sound meeting. “...at the meeting, he [Thackeray] said that the opposition should ‘unite’ and that it should be long-lasting. The people of the country should feel confident that we are all together and will remain together,” Raut said. During his 10-minute speech, Thackeray covered key issues like the problems faced by distressed farmers, the Pegasus scam and inflation.
While asked about Sonia’s response, Raut said, “To have an interaction on a regular basis is important. We are sure we will get a response later.” He added that they also discussed the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who also participated in the virtual meeting, later posted on social media: “With the initiative of Smt Sonia ji Gandhi, an online meeting of like-minded parties was held today. I truly appreciate the steps taken to organise this much needed meeting in view of the present circumstances in our country. The current scenario in India appears very gloomy.”