Congress: No discussion yet on inclusion of MNS in MVA

On the language row and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s remarks against Thackeray cousins, Chennithala said that the party stands firmly with the sentiments and identity of the Marathi people.

“Mumbai is the financial capital of the country, and people from South, North, and every corner of India live happily here. There is no issue of linguistic or regional conflict. However, in Maharashtra, we stand firmly with the sentiments and identity of the Marathi people,” said Chennithala.

State Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal was absent at the reunion of Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray at the Worli event on July 5, which was said to be a “celebration of Marathi victory”.

However, another MVA member, NCP(SP) working president Supriya Sule, had attended the event along with the Left parties.

According to sources within the Congress, following the reunion of the two Thackerays, the party is contemplating fighting solo in the upcoming local body elections in the state.

“The party is focusing on increasing its organisational base. There is a demand from ground level that we should contest independently, which will give an opportunity to many new and fresh leaders. However, the high command will take a final call,” said a senior party leader.