NCP, Shiv Sena-UBT to Join Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra

MUMBAI, (IANS) – The Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray will join the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra led by party MP Rahul Gandhi when it enters Maharashtra next month, party leaders said here on October 26.

While NCP President Sharad Pawar will join the BJY, from the Sena, ex-minister Aditya Thackeray and other senior leaders are expected to mark their presence though the dates and venue are not yet announced.

A senior Sena-UBT leader, preferring anonymity, told IANS that party chief Uddhav Thackeray is unlikely to take part in the BJY owing to the current political situation here, but will depute a high-level team of leaders to express solidarity with Gandhi and the Congress.

The BJY with Gandhi leading the march on foot with many senior leaders is slated to enter Maharashtra on November 7 and the party has organized two mega-rallies in Nanded and Buldhana districts.

The BJY will traverse a total of nearly 382 kms in the five districts in 13 days before entering Madhya Pradesh on the next leg on November 20.

The three parties – which were part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government for two-and-half years before it collapsed on June 30 – will now come together for the first time through the BJY.