Raj Thackeray extends support to Bharat Bandh, will he join ‘Mahagathabandhan’ ?

Congress has called a Bharat Bandh on Monday,10th September over fuel price hike. Congress has also appealed to all political parties to take part in this bandh. After Congress’ appeal, all eyes were on MNS and the Shiv Sena as both the parties are the arch-rival Congress.

Raj Thackeray on Sunday called a meeting of his senior party leaders, after which the leader announced his support to the nationwide bandh.

In his letter to his party cadre and people of Maharashtra, Thackeray said, 'the petrol and diesel prices have skyrocketed and due to this common man is in deep anguish. To protest this hike in price, all the political parties have declared a Bharat Bandh on Monday. I extend my full support to the Bharat bandh and MNS will take the active part in the bandh.'

He also said, I appeal to all the citizens of Maharashtra, to put aside your political and ideological differences & support this bandh.

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Raj Thackeray's this move has surprised many as he is known for his scathing attack on Congress & NCP. According to sources, since the announcement of Bharat bandh, top leaders of Maharashtra Congress were in touch with Thackeray. 

Read: 'Bharat Bandh' LIVE UPDATES: Congress Party Calls For 'Bharat Bandh' Against Fuel Price Hike, Opposition Parties Back Protest To Corner Modi Government

According to sources, Sharad Pawar is playing a key role in bringing all the regional parties together, in Maharashtra. Earlier, Raj Thackeray had also met Sharad Pawar at his residence. 

By supporting the Bharat Bandh call of united opposition Thackeray has given an indication that he is not averse to the idea of Mahagathbandhan. 

In last few years, the graph of Raj Thackeray's party MNS has drastically gone down. Uddhav Thackeray has also made it clear that Shiv Sena will contest on their own. So, Raj Thackeray has no option but to be part of united opposition if he really wants to win a seat in Lok Sabha election.

So the question is will he take one step forward to be a part of Mahagathbandhan?

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