Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has vowed to "fight for democracy" alongside the Congress, despite the differences in their ideologies. The former Maharashtra chief minister's statement came after he met All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal on Monday evening.
The meeting has added impetus to the broader opposition unity in the wake of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Tejashwi Yadav and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar last week.
After welcoming Venugopal to Matoshree, Thackeray stressed on their alliance. He acknowledged there were ideological differences, "but it is a democracy and we have to come together with hardly a year left for the election."
"They (BJP) only want power and we Shiv Sena are here to save democracy," he said, adding that the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thakarey) and Congress will come together in the "fight for democracy".
He also accused BJP of betrayal. "We maintained a relationship with the BJP for 25-30 years. But they did not understand who was a friend and who was an opponent. We will together fight for democracy in the country," he said.
"Last time when BJP chief JP Nadda came to Mumbai, he said that there will be only one party and that is BJP. This is the biggest betrayal to all other parties. The way they tried to finish Shiv Sena and betrayed the party, they are trying to do the same with other parties too," he said.
Thackeray said his party had spoken to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, adding the (Lok Sabha) elections are not even a year away.
Meanwhile, Venugopal told reporters that the Congress is in full solidarity with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).
"We have witnessed how democracy has been sabotaged by Modi and Amit Shah. All the opposition parties have a general consensus to fight together against the dictatorship of Modi. The Congress is in full solidarity with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). We are all in agreement that we have to fight these forces (BJP) together," he said.
Venugopal said the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate were targeting opposition parties, especially the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Speaking on his discussion with Thackeray, the Congress leader said it was a fruitful one where a lot of issues were deliberated upon. "Hum saath hain (we are together) is the message we want to give. I have requested Uddhavji to come to Delhi to meet Soniaji. Then Rahul Gandhi will also definitely visit Mumbai, he said in response to a media query.
(With inputs from PTI)