West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday me NCP supremo Sarad Pawar at his residence in Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon and later stated that “there is no United Progressive Alliance (UPA) now.”
Mamata is on a three-day visit to Mumbai to meet leaders of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Addressing reporters following her meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Mamata said a firm alternative needs to be planned as nobody is fighting against the ongoing fascism.
Today, our Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial met with Shri @PawarSpeaks.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) December 1, 2021
Key issues pertaining to safeguarding the democratic rights of our people were discussed. Serving the people of this great nation will always be our top priority! pic.twitter.com/0FSkguwWHt
“Sharad Ji is a senior leader and I came to discuss our political parties. I agree with whatever Sharad Ji said. There is no UPA,” Mamata was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, Pawar, whose NCP is in alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra, reiterated the need for a strong alternative leadership. The NCP chief said Mamata’s intention is that like-minded forces should come together at the national level and set up a collective leadership. “Our thinking is not for today, but for the election,” he added.
Today, our Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial and our National General Secretary @abhishekaitc met with Shri @PawarSpeaks. pic.twitter.com/spR4mKwFde
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) December 1, 2021
When asked if an alliance without the Congress was on the cards, Pawar said, “All those opposed to the BJP are welcome to join us. There is no question of excluding anyone”.
Earlier in the day, while interacting with some civil society members in Mumbai, the TMC chief said she had suggested to the Congress that an advisory council comprising prominent personalities from civil society be set up to give a direction to the opposition, but rued that the plan did not materialise.
If all regional parties come together, it would be easy to defeat the BJP, Banerjee said.
“We want to say BJP hatao, desh bachao,” she said, adding that her party Trinamool Congress (TMC) will not contest the forthcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Also Read: