'We will do it together': Rahul Gandhi greets INDIA bloc ally Uddhav Thackeray; vows to 'protect' Maharashtra's rights

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday extended birthday greetings to Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray, who turned 65. In a post on X, He wished the Maharashtra ex-chief minister a "long and healthy life" and reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the "interests and rights" of the state and its people.

Both leaders are key allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — an alliance of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) in Maharashtra. At the national level, these parties are also members of the Congress-led INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties.

"Warm wishes and congratulations to Shiv Sena President and INDIA alliance partner Uddhav Thackeray ji on his birthday," the Lok Sabha leader of opposition said in a post in Hindi on X.

"May you stay healthy, live long, and we will fight together for the interests and rights of the people of Maharashtra," he added.

Gandhi’s message comes at a time when Thackeray is seen moving closer to the latter's estranged cousin Raj Thackeray, who leads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

The Congress MP has also repeatedly alleged that the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition’s big win in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections was due to 'electoral fraud' — a claim firmly denied by the Election Commission.