Third Front? Sena chief meets Bengal CM
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray met Trina mool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, triggering speculations of a possible realignment of political forces in the 2019 polls.
The 45- minute meeting at a hotel in south Mumbai was termed a “courtesy call” by Sena. But it is significant in the backdrop of worsening ties between the saffron allies and Banerjee’s attempts to put together a Third Front to take on the BJP in the 2019 general elections.
“This was my first meeting with her. There was no political discussion, but we have same views on issues such as demonetisation and GST. Both of us have been speaking on these issues. This was only the first meeting, let’s see how things shape up,” Thackeray told reporters, indicating more such meetings could take place in the future.
The two also discussed possible joint ‘sister cities’ initiatives between Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Municipal Corporation, he said. Thackeray was accompanied by his son and party youth leader, Aditya Thackeray.
Sena, which is said to have begun preparations for the 2019 elections, is widely expected to pull out of the Maharashtra government and contest solo. It has contested polls in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Delhi independently and plans to do so on 25 seats in Gujarat elections due next week.
“The meeting was a courtesy call. They have discussed many issues, including the impact of demonetisation and GST at length,” said Sena sources.