Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader Aditya Thackeray on Wednesday called on Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Aaditya was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MPs Anil Desai, Priyanka Chaturvedi and other leaders of the party, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction said in a statement.
Talking to reporters after meeting Thackeray, Tejashwi said he also had plans to visit Mumbai but it could materialise due to his busy schedule. "Everyone saw what happened in Maharashtra... together we destroyed BJP in Bihar, our only agenda is peace in the country. May the country progress, there should be discussion on the issues of development and taking everyone along," he said.
"I used to talk to Tejashwi ji earlier too when our govt was in power. Nitishji's govt is doing good work in Bihar. If everyone who wants to work for the constitution, development, industry, employment and development in the country, if they keep talking, they will be able to do something good in the country," said Thackeray.
"We are sure that this friendship will continue for long, it is not necessary that we discuss politics every time," he added.
After meeting Tejashwi, Aditya Thackeray also met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his residence.
Aaditya, the sitting MLA from Worli in Mumbai, had served as the tourism and environment minister in the erstwhile MVA government headed by his father. In Maharashtra, the Thackeray-led faction was in power until June this year in alliance with NCP and Congress before it was dislodged by the rebellion led by Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs of Shiv Sena.
The Bihar government is headed by Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) who ended his alliance with BJP in August and joined hands with the Grand Alliance or 'Mahagathbandhan' comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties.
RJD vs BJP
The BJP on Wednesday criticised the meeting between Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on planks as varied as insult to the "greatness" of Bal Thackeray and insensitivity to Bihari sentiments.
Yadav's RJD hit back, claiming that the saffron party was rattled by "opposition unity", which has been achieved in Bihar and was taking shape in other states.
"Late Bala Saheb Thackeray was a pious soul. He must be turning in his grave to learn what Aaditya, his grandson, is doing. What does the young leader expect to learn from Tejashwi who has accomplished little except amassing huge wealth in a short period of time?" said Jivesh Kumar, a former Bihar minister and BJP leader.
