Mumbai: As part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Monday. During their meeting, both the leaders agreed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are destroying democracy in the country and there is a need for all opposition parties to fight unitedly against this dictatorship.
Venugopal reached the metropolis in the evening and met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for over half an hour, after which both the leaders addressed a press conference. “We have seen how democracy has been sabotaged by PM Modi and Amit Shah. There is a consensus among all opposition parties to fight together against the dictatorship of PM Modi. together in complete solidarity.” We all agree that we have to fight together with these forces (BJP).
Congress general secretary M.P.K. C. Venugopal today at the residence of Matoshree Party chief Hon. Mister. Uddhav met Thackeray. MP Sanjay Raut, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, Mumbai Congress President Bhai Jagtap, Mumbai Congress… pic.twitter.com/52Q0Ssbm7P– Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) April 17, 2023
Venugopal said that during the last parliamentary session, all opposition parties were meeting for a common strategy under the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. He said, “It was the government’s side which was obstructing the proceedings in Parliament. We had only demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee inquiry on the Adani issue. They (BJP) did not want that, hence the vexatious proceedings.” Took support.”
Venugopal also said that the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate were targeting opposition parties, especially the Shiv Sena (UBT). The Congress leader said there was a feeling among all opposition parties for broader unity, which is why Kharge and Rahul Gandhi met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav as well as NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.
Venugopal claimed, “There are some differences between political parties. They have their own ideologies but the country is facing a bigger issue. This kind of atmosphere (under the Modi government) has never been seen before.”
Speaking on his discussion with Thackeray, the Congress leader said it was a useful discussion where a lot of issues were discussed. “Hum saath hain (we are together) is the message we want to give,” he said. In response to a question from the media, he said, ‘I have requested Uddhavji to come to Delhi to meet Soniaji. Then Rahul Gandhi will also definitely come to Mumbai.
Speaking at the press conference, Thackeray, without naming PM Modi, used words like “man-eaters” and “power-hungry” for the current system at the Centre. The former Maharashtra chief minister said, “I don’t think it is wrong to use such language against them (the BJP-led central government). Only one person is considered important. The Shiv Sena is in the fray with all its might.”
“We were with them (BJP) for 25 years but they have forgotten this friendship. We (Shiv Sena) are a party that stands on friendship. We treat it like a relationship,” he said. On BJP national president JP Nadda’s recent comments in Mumbai that no other party will survive in the country, Thackeray said, “He might have said it unknowingly, but it is something we have to oppose. Shiv Sena will fight for democracy.” ” ,
Thackeray said his party has spoken to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and added that the (Lok Sabha) elections are not even a year away. The Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which was in power in Maharashtra till June last year.
The rebellion of Eknath Shinde led to a split in the army. Shinde became the Chief Minister with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party.