Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the United Bhartiya Thackeray (UBT) faction, is expected to skip a crucial meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc in Delhi on Wednesday. This decision comes in the wake of a significant victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra during the recent Lok Sabha elections, securing 30 out of the 48 seats in the state.
Instead, prominent Shiv Sena leaders including Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, and Arvind Sawant will represent Uddhav Thackeray at the meeting.
Focus on Government Formation at the Centre
Thackeray is actively engaged in discussions with various Opposition leaders, with the aim of forming a government at the Centre. Talks have been initiated with leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, the Chief of Trinamool Congress, among others.
Uddhav Thackeray may skip INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is keen on staking claim to form a government at the Centre and is holding talks with several Opposition leaders in this regard, a party leader said.#ShivSena #UddhavThackeray #INDIA pic.twitter.com/f2VFotJ6Bc
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A senior Shiv Sena official emphasized that Uddhav Thackeray will consider attending the Delhi meeting only if there are positive discussions or significant progress towards this objective.
Expressing Thackeray’s intent, a Shiv Sena leader stated that the party is striving to unite Opposition parties and leaders who have faced challenges from the BJP. Discussions with multiple leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have been conducted over the phone.
The attendance of Shiv Sena representatives at the Delhi meeting underscores the party’s commitment to exploring avenues for a potential alliance to form the government.
Call for Opposition Bloc to Stake Claim
In light of the BJP’s need for ally support to secure a majority, Uddhav Thackeray had earlier urged the Opposition INDIA bloc to assert its claim to form the government. Thackeray’s statement underscored the importance of the Opposition bloc coming together to decide on a Prime Ministerial candidate, emphasizing their collective aim to counter autocratic tendencies and uphold constitutional values.
While commenting on potential shifts in alliance dynamics, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut remarked on the decisions of leaders like Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party and Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United).
Raut expressed skepticism about their inclination to join the BJP-led government, leaving the decision to them. Both Naidu and Kumar are slated to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi, highlighting the ongoing negotiations and uncertainties surrounding government formation.
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