Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and former Maharashtra minister, Aaditya Thackeray met Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in Patna on Wednesday amid talks about major opposition parties joining hands ahead of the 2024 Parliament elections.
In their media interaction, Aaditya and Tejashwi said they are both youngsters and share a common agenda of addressing people’s issues including inflation and unemployment. Recently, Aaditya had joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Hingoli as part of the latter’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Sena member of Parliament (MP) Priyanka Chaturvedi, who accompanied Aaditya along with Anil Desai and other leaders for a meeting with Tejashwi at the latter’s 10 Circular residence, told newsmen that the two leaders’ meeting was politically significant and has importance in national politics.
“We discussed about development works and the burning issues in the country. It is always good that youths keen on working for the country exchange views on how to address people’s issues like inflation, unemployment and the need for saving democracy. I have long been in touch with Tejashwi and we met for the first time,” said Aaditya, flanked by Tejashwi after meeting the chief minister.
“It is always good when youths come in decision making, policy making. We will share knowledge. Of course, we have the challenge to save democracy in the country,” said Tejaswhi.
After reaching Patna, Aaditya said he was excited to be at the state Capital for the first time and stressed that opposition parties should work together on burning issues like inflation, unemployment,etc.
“The CM has told me to come again to Bihar. I have always invited him to come to Maharashtra,” he said.
“This is a good sign that major opposition parties are joining hands ahead of the parliamentary polls,” said Upendra Kushwaha, national parliamentary board chairman of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U).
Meanwhile,Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi alleged that Aaditya Thackeray’s interaction with Tejashwi was more like a “picnic party” for the “two scions of two political families.”
“Thackeray has come to Patna ahead of the Mumbai municipal polls to seek votes of Biharis staying there, but it will not cut much ice,” he said.
BJP state spokesperson Nikhil Anand alleged that CM Kumar and his deputy have insulted the sentiments of Bihar and Biharis by meeting Aaditya Thackeray for their “superficial politics”.
“These leaders of Bihar forgot that the same people of MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) alliance used to abuse Biharis in Maharashtra and drive them away from jobs,” he said.
