In the backdrop of the Congress adopting a ‘go it alone’ stance for the upcoming municipal elections amid alliance talks between Shiv Sena (Thackeray) and the MNS, senior Congress leader and MP Digvijaya Singh met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree. During this visit, Singh invited Thackeray to participate in the ‘Anti–Vote Theft Maha Rally’ to be held on December 14 at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, under the leadership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav have also been invited to the rally.
It is being speculated that Singh’s discussions with Thackeray also involved exploring continued cooperation within the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the context of the local body elections. With the likelihood of the Thackeray brothers coming together for these elections, Congress has chosen to contest independently, and Singh’s visit appears to be an attempt to repair the strain within the alliance. Sources indicated that he urged Thackeray to contest the elections in alliance with Congress and also proposed that all partners including Sharad Pawar’s NCP should fight the elections together under the Maha Vikas Aghadi banner.
However, it is understood that Uddhav Thackeray has expressed firm commitment to his emerging alliance with Raj Thackeray. Whether he will attend the Delhi rally remains to be seen, though his visit to Delhi during last year’s winter session of Parliament has fueled speculation that he might participate this time as well.
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