'Those who can't even save their own MLAs...': BJP takes a dig at Aaditya Thackeray for joining Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra

Mumbai: Aaditya Thackeray could participate in the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi, which entered Maharashtra on Monday night, a Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction leader said. Talking to reporters, Sena MLC Sachin Ahir said Aaditya is touring Marathwada and the yatra would also be passing through the region. Taking a dig, Bharatiya Janata Party's Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar said people like Aaditya Thackeray may be joining the Yatra but they cannot save their ministers and MLAs, an apparent reference to the rebellion led by Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs in June this year.

"The possibility of Aaditya Thackeray attending the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' cannot be ruled out. The decision will be taken after discussions with the party chief (Uddhav Thackeray).

Coincidentally, he is also touring the region (Marathwada) and attempts are being made to see if it (his visit) can coincide with the rally," Ahir said.

A delegation of Congress had last month met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray to invite them to be part of the Yatra when it enters Maharashtra.

Pawar had earlier said he would join the yatra. However, senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan has said the participation of Pawar will depend on his health condition.

Pawar, 81, was recently hospitalised in Mumbai for fever and other health issues.

The 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', a mass outreach initiative of the Congress that began on September 7 from Kanyakumari, entered Maharashtra's Nanded district from neighbouring Telangana.

छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज के साहस की प्रतीक, देश की एकता की ये मशालें, आने वाले भविष्य के लिए एक मिसाल बन जाएंगी।

नमस्कार महाराष्ट्र  pic.twitter.com/bYSA9Izmj1 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2022

I’ll remember every hug, every expression of love from the people of Telangana. Thank you 

Our Yatra will carry forward your die-hard spirit - to fight injustice & protect harmony. pic.twitter.com/KDc60SMJpZ — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2022

Speaking to reporters here, Shelar said, "Those who cannot save their MLAs or ministers are now joining the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' of Rahul Gandhi. Can't say how much it will benefit them."

He claimed the Congress didn't help Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in the Andheri (East) Assembly bypoll.

Rutuja Latke of the Uddhav-led faction of Shiv Sena won the bypoll on Sunday on expected lines as BJP had withdrawn its candidate. Latke was supported by NCP and Congress- the two other members of Maha Vikas Aghadi besides Shiv Sena (UBT).