Aaditya Thackeray Meets Arvind Kejriwal Says, “BJP Intention To Finish Regional Parties”

Aaditya Thackeray, a prominent leader from Shiv Sena, has arrived in Delhi to engage with the leadership of the INDIA opposition bloc, amidst a period of significant turmoil for the alliance. This comes in the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffering a notable defeat in the recent Delhi elections against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alongside political maneuvers by NCP leader Sharad Pawar, who honored Maharashtra’s Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, a move Thackeray criticized but chose not to elaborate on.

Thackeray’s visit is aimed at addressing the bloc’s existential challenges, including the BJP’s strategy to finish regional parties. He met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi the previous night and is scheduled to discuss with AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, highlighting the urgency of unity among opposition forces. His statements have raised concerns about the integrity of electoral processes, particularly questioning the security of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and alleging election fraud, issues that have been a recurring point of contention following opposition losses.

His comments also touched on the broader implications for democracy in India, suggesting that if the BJP can manipulate outcomes for allies like Nitish Kumar of Bihar or Chandrababu Naidu, no political entity would be safe from such tactics. This is particularly poignant given Kumar’s history of switching alliances, which has left the INDIA bloc in a precarious position.

ALSO READ | JPC Report On Waqf Bill Tabled In Rajya Sabha Opposition Create Ruckus

Formed in 2023 to counter the BJP’s dominance, the INDIA bloc has struggled to make significant inroads, with its performance in various state elections being less than stellar. This has led to internal and external criticisms, especially directed at the Congress for not cooperating effectively on seat-sharing arrangements. The recent defeats in Haryana and Delhi have only fueled these debates, with Congress defending itself by stating that ensuring the victory of other parties isn’t solely their responsibility.

Despite these challenges, Thackeray dismissed any notions of the bloc collapsing or needing a leadership overhaul. He emphasized that the INDIA bloc operates under a collective leadership model, not centered on individual egos but on safeguarding India’s democratic future.