'Join NDA': PM Modi advises Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to join the Bhartiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "But instead of dying by merging with the Congress, come to Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde," the prime minister said. This proposition comes as a response to Pawar's recent statement suggesting regional parties may come together or merge with the Congress in future years.
PM Modi's warning against merging with Congress
PM Modi further warned the leaders against merging with the Congress, stating it would result in the "death" of their respective parties. "A big leader here who is active for 40-50 years is worried after polling in Baramati (Lok Sabha seat). He says that after June 4, smaller parties will merge with the Congress," PM Modi said, seemingly referring to Pawar. "This means the nakli NCP and...Shiv Sena have made up their minds to merge with the Congress," he added.
Opposition leaders respond to PM Modi's invitation
In response to PM Modi's comments, Pawar affirmed his commitment to parliamentary democracy and expressed his unwillingness to partner with any person, party, or ideology that does not support it. "PM Modi's recent speeches have been conducive to creating rifts among communities, which is dangerous for the country. Wherever things are not in the nation's interest, neither I nor my colleagues will venture," he stated.
Thackeray also rejected the offer
Thackeray also rejected the offer, saying the invitation was offered as PM Modi had sensed the imminent defeat of the BJP in the polls. "Modi is singing 'Aaja meri gadi mein baith ja' song for us and winking at me. But I will not go with Modi," Thackeray said at a rally in Sambhaji Nagar.
