Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday stated that party president Uddhav Thackeray will participate in the INDIA bloc meeting scheduled for Monday through video conferencing.
“The meeting was initially planned for June 7. We had made preparations for that date, but it was later rescheduled to June 8. Consequently, we have informed the Congress that while Uddhav Thackeray may not be physically present, he will join the meeting online. We remain committed to the INDIA bloc and want it to stay strong,” Raut said.
The INDIA bloc meeting, taking place after a significant hiatus, occurs amid shifting dynamics within the alliance. The DMK has already indicated it will not attend, following the Congress severing ties with it to support the TVK in forming the government in Tamil Nadu. On Thursday, DMK spokesperson TKS Ekangovan confirmed to ANI that the DMK is no longer part of the INDIA bloc.
During Monday’s meeting, which aims to chart the future strategy of the INDIA bloc, former West Bengal Chief Minister and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will be present to present the TMC’s perspectives and rally support amid recent developments in the state. The TMC, which has consistently positioned itself as a dominant regional force within the INDIA bloc, is expected to lose some of its influence following its defeat in Bengal and a recent party split.
