AAP leader Sanjay Singh with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sanjay Raut addresses media after meeting AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal at his temporary residence in New Delhi on February 13, 2025.
| Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray met Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi on Thursday, raising concerns over alleged electoral irregularities and the state of democracy in the country.
Accompanied by senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Priyanka Chaturvedi, Mr. Thackeray discussed the outcome of the recent Delhi Assembly elections and the future of the Opposition INDIA bloc. The BJP registered a sweeping victory in the polls, securing 48 of the 70 seats, while AAP managed to win 22. The elections were held on February 5.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Mr. Thackeray described his interaction with Kejriwal as a “gesture of friendship” but expressed serious concerns about the fairness of elections. “Governments come and go, but relationships continue. We met Kejriwal in the spirit of friendship. However, our democracy is not free and fair. Elections are not free and fair,” he said.
Mr. Thackeray further alleged large-scale voter list manipulations by the Election Commission (EC) in States like Maharashtra, Haryana, Odisha, and Delhi. “The EC has taken away people’s right to vote. It is not even willing to discuss this issue,” he said, adding that the Opposition would formally raise the matter.
The AAP has accused the Congress—its ally in the INDIA bloc—of undermining its chances on at least 13 seats. Congress failed to win a single seat for the third consecutive election.
Reiterating the need for electoral integrity, Mr. Thackeray stressed, “Free and fair elections are fundamental to the country’s democracy.”
With cracks widening in the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Mr. Thackeray also met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi late on Wednesday, reportedly to discuss the alliance’s internal discord. The meeting follows Nationalist Congress Party (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar’s decision to honour Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a move that has triggered unease within the Opposition bloc.
Mr. Pawar recently conferred the Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar on Mr. Shinde, who had led a rebellion within the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022, bringing down Mr. Uddhav Thackeray’s government and later becoming the Chief Minister by alining with the BJP.
“Those who are anti-Maharashtra are anti-nationals. We cannot honour individuals involved in such actions. This goes against our principles. I am not aware of his [Sharad Pawar’s]’ principles,” Mr. Thackeray said, condemning the felicitation.
Published – February 13, 2025 08:03 pm IST