Uddhav Thackeray Likely to Skip INDIA Bloc Meeting 

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to skip the Opposition INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on Wednesday. This decision comes a day after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra achieved notable success by winning 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Representatives from Shiv Sena (UBT), including Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, and Arvind Sawant, will attend the meeting on Uddhav’s behalf. A party leader explained that Uddhav is actively engaged in discussions with various Opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, to stake a claim to form the central government. He will travel to Delhi only if these discussions yield substantial progress.

“Uddhav ji has had phone conversations with several leaders, including Mamata ji, aiming to unite Opposition parties and those disillusioned with the BJP to form the government. Our representatives will be at the meeting, and Uddhav will join them in Delhi if the discussions prove fruitful,” stated a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.

Following the election results, which indicated that the BJP would need ally support to form the government, Uddhav highlighted the need for the INDIA bloc to stake its claim. “The INDIA bloc must assert its right to form the government. I will attend the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, accompanied by Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, and Arvind Sawant. We will determine our PM candidate. The INDIA bloc was formed not for personal power but to end dictatorship and protect the Constitution,” Uddhav remarked on Tuesday.

In parallel, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut commented on the potential decisions of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar regarding their alliance with the BJP. “I doubt Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar will join the BJP’s ‘autocratic government’, but ultimately, it’s their decision,” Raut stated.

As the BJP seeks the necessary support to establish the government, both Naidu and Kumar are set to attend a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting in Delhi.