Shiv Sena MPs Meet Sonia Gandhi, Will Boycott Joint Sitting Of Parliament

A group of Shiv Sena MPs on Monday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence and reportedly told her that they will boycott the joint sitting of Parliament called to commemorate the Constitution Day to protest against the political developments in Maharashtra. This was the first such meeting of the Shiv Sena MPs with the Sonia Gandhi at her official residence and came after the two ideologically opposite parties joined hands to form government in Maharashtra.

The government is celebrating 'Constitution Day' or 'Samvidhan Diwas' on Tuesday in the Central Hall of Parliament to mark the 70^th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution by the constituent Assembly.

The Sena MPs who met Sonia Gandhi included Gajanan Kirtikar, Arvind Sawant, Rahul Shewale and Anil Desai. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal was also present during their meeting. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kirtikar said the MPs met the Congress chief and conveyed to her that the party will be with the Opposition in its protest against the developments in Maharashtra.

"The government has murdered the Constitution in Maharashtra. After directions from party chief Uddhav Thackeray, we will be boycotting the joint sitting of Parliament called to commemorate the Constitution Day," he said.

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The Congress, Left parties, NCP, TMC, RJD, TDP and DMK have planned a joint protest at the Ambedkar statue inside the Parliament complex against the political developments in Maharashtra and installing of a government led by Devendra Fadnavis with Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister, sources said.

The Congress-NCP-Sena are currently fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court over government formation in Maharashtra. On Saturday, Devendra Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit leader was administered oath of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, rattling the three parties who were giving final touches to the government formation in the state.

(With inputs from PTI)