Expressing serious concern over the stability of the current NJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Friday that the Narendra Modi dispensation would not remain in power for long.
Talking to media persons after meeting former chief minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, Banerjee said: “This (central) government is not stable. It is not strong. It may not continue for long. My best wishes to them”. Alluding to the fact that the winning margin in one of the Mumbai Lok Sabha in Mumbai (Mumbai North West) was mere 48 votes, “They (BJP-led NDA) have done like this in many other areas… otherwise this time (2024) they would not have returned to power. I am sure of that”.
Banerjee is in the city to attend the wedding of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant, daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant, at the Jio World Convention Centre on Wednesday.
At the meeting she had with Uddhav, the latter’s wife Rashmi Thackeray and their sons Aditya and Tejas, were present at Thackerays’ Bandra residence ‘Matoshri’.
Banerjee, who is in Mumbai for the first time after the Lok Sabha poll outcome, called on Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar later in the evening, at the latter’s ‘Silver Oak’ in south Mumbai.
Banerjee, who enjoys personal rapport with Pawar Sr. and Uddhav, makes it a point to meet both of them, whenever she visits Mumbai.
The Trinamool Congress, the NCP (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc.
In Maharashtra, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) -- comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) -- won 30 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats, handing a humiliating defeat to the ruling Mahayuti -- of which the ruling BJP, the Shiv Sena and the NCP are constituents. The MVA constituents are members of the INDIA bloc at the national level.
She is also likely to meet Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders who are expected to attend Anant Ambani’s wedding later in the night.