Mumbai: The ‘Save Constitution’ rally, planned on Republic Day, is likely to bring all opposition parties on one platform, with organisers even appealing to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to join them.
On Wednesday, leaders of the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana’s Lok Sabha MP Raju shetty held a meeting at the residence of Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.
Mr. Shetty and the NCP are arch-enemies due to the latter’s constant attacks on NCP chief Sharad Pawar alleging his favouritism to sugar mill owners.
Prior to 2014, when the Congress-NCP was in power, Mr. Shetty had joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party to take on Mr. Pawar. He has, however, parted ways with the BJP, alleging that the Narendra Modi government has failed to address farmers’ issues. This will be the first time when Mr. Shetty will walk along with Mr. Pawar.
“We feel that the Central government is out to change the Constitution. This is not a political alliance, but we are coming together on an even larger issue. This should not be seen through the political prism,” said Mr. Shetty.
NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, one of the organisers, said they are only looking at the Republic Day rally and nothing else. “The larger political questions will be answered later. We are neither denying nor claiming anything.”
Following the meeting on Wednesday, Congress leaders announced that they would be joining the rally.
“There will be no sloganeering or display of political banners. We will start the march at Dr. Ambedkar’s statue in south Mumbai and walk till Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at the Gateway of India. All will sit in front of the statue for two hours and disperse. This is not a political programme and those who who want to join, will come voluntarily,” said Mr. Awhad.
