Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar Discuss Strategy For BMC Elections Amid MVA Rift

Amid differences among the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance over the ensuing local body polls in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at the latter’s residence, Silver Oak, in Mumbai on Monday.

The meeting has captured attention in political circles, especially following Shiv Sena (UBT)'s recent announcement to contest the elections independently.

The focus of the meeting included Sharad Pawar-led NCP's declaration that it would contest around 50 out of 227 seats in the upcoming BMC elections.

Sharad Pawar, in a recent press conference, clarified that the MVA and INDIA were formed for Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, and there had been no agreements regarding local elections. However, he reassured that discussions would soon take place among all three parties to finalise a joint approach to the upcoming local polls.

The key figures present at the meeting included Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut and Jayant Patil. During the discussions, they addressed the ongoing Supreme Court hearing on January 22 regarding local body elections.

They also reviewed a recent decision by the state cabinet to grant the CM the authority to appoint the State Election Commissioner.