Mumbai: A day after Shiv Sena (UBT) took offence to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar honouring Dy CM Eknath Shinde, Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray met Congress’ leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi.
While Aaditya said it was a courtesy visit, political observers noted that at a time when there is a rift within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over Pawar felicitating Shinde, Aaditya’s meeting with Rahul gains significance. Aaditya said Shinde betrayed the Sena and Maharashtra and committed the sin of splitting Balasaheb Thackeray’s Sena and “stealing” its name and symbol. Aaditya also said Shinde committed the sin of sending industries out from Maharashtra.
However, Aaditya didn’t meet Sharad Pawar. “I met Rahul Gandhi last night… We do not know where our votes are going due to voter fraud and EVM fraud. We have to come together to remove this pretence that we are living in a democracy. What happened with Shiv Sena, AAP or Congress, tomorrow it may happen with Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu too. BJP will break every local party and form a BJP govt… We are also trying to prepare a roadmap for the INDIA bloc as the next strategy, senior netas will make it,” he said.
He later said, “I met Arvind Kejriwal. What is in our hearts and minds is very clear—govts come and go, but relationships continue, and that’s what we came to say. The work Arvind Kejriwal has done in Delhi is known to everyone.”
Meanwhile, Shinde said on Thursday that it is “unfortunate to show distrust in Sharad Pawar and a big heart is needed in politics.”