Two prominent leaders of Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party and state chief Minister Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde meet at the Varsha Bungalow, the official residence of the CM. It was the first meeting between both the leaders since the transfer of power in Maharashtra. The purpose of the visit remains unclear, but it has sparked discussions as Pawar made an unexpected visit to Eknath Shinde.
Earlier Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has said he is not in the race to become prime minister and asserted the Opposition wants a leadership that would work for the betterment of the country.
“I am putting efforts to get the Opposition together. I am not in the race to become the prime minister as I am not contesting the next (Lok Sabha) election,” he told reporters.
On seat-sharing with the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT), which are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Pawar said, “Recently, a meeting was held at my residence. Leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi will decide on it.”
“Uddhav Thackeray, Sonia Gandhi or Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and I will sit together to discuss more about it,” he said on seat-sharing.
The tenure of several civic bodies in Maharashtra got over early 2022, but polls were not held due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Lok Sabha elections are due in 2024, and the Maharashtra Assembly polls are also due in the later part of next year.
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Updated: 01 Jun 2023, 08:39 PM IST