KCR, Thackeray huddle for an anti-BJP front

Mumbai: Trying to pit a joint-front against BJP, chief ministers of Mahatrashtra and Telangana met here on Sunday.

Uddhav Thackeray and his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao reportedly have decided to work out plans together for an anti-BJP front.

Thackeray threw his weight behind Rao's efforts to form a national alternative.

After the huddle at Thackeray's residence, both leaders said they would talk with leaders of other regional and national parties.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief talked about the need for a big change in the country.

"A beginning has been made with our meeting. I believe a good message has gone out from here," said KCR.

He hoped that the meeting would yield desired results. Because, the campaigns launched from Maharashtra, he said, had succeeded in the past.

Maratha warriors like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Balasaheb Thackeray inspired the country, KCR said.

Thackeray has alleged that the nation's federalism is being damaged, and added, "The atmosphere that should be there between states and the Centre is not seen today. This politics will not work. So, we have made a fresh start."

"The situation prevailing in the country and the way low-grade politics is happening is not Hindutva," said Thackeray.

Thackeray's Shiv Sena snapped ties with the BJP in 2019 to join hands with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress to form the government in Maharashtra.

"Hindutva is not about violence or revenge. If things continue like this, what is the future of the country," asked Thackeray.

He also voiced his unhappiness over the way the Central government 'spread rumours' about some states and some leaders, IANS reports.

KCR also invited Thackeray to Hyderabad for further talks.

KCR later left for a meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar.