Sharad Pawar's NCP skips Sonia Gandhi's big Opposition meet, JDU accuses her of breaking party
Sharad Pawar's NCP opted out of the big Opposition meeting called by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Delhi.
In Short
- Sonia Gandhi calls meeting of all UPA members.
- Sharad Pawar's NCP skips meeting.
- Congress accused NCP of betraying it in Rajya Sabha elections.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today called a meeting of all member parties of the UPA - the Opposition front headed by her party - in New Delhi today. The meet was called to showcase UPA's strength after Ahmed Patel's dramatic win in Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections.
However, a no-show by Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the meeting laid bare the massive rift in the UPA. Sharad Pawar had earlier confirmed that party representative would be attending the meet but no one from his party turned up for the meet.
The NCP is said to be miffed by the Congress after the later accused Pawar of betraying it in the just concluded Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections.
"If Congress is publicly attacking NCP despite party's support in Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls why should we come for the meeting," senior NCP leader Praful Patel told India Today.
The UPA, which originally constituted 18 parties, seems to have lost yet another partner after Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United dumped the grand alliance or Mahagathbandhan in Bihar last month to join hands with the BJP again.
JDU ACCUSES SONIA GANDHI OF BREAKING PARTY
Janata Dal United leader KC Tyagi lashed out at Sonia Gandhi, saying the Congress President was trying to break the party after senior leader Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwer were invited for today's meeting.
Tyagi said the party is contemplating action against Ali Anwer who attended the Congress' meet.
"This is wrong on part of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. She is trying to break the JDU," Tyagi, who is considered close to Nitish Kumar, said.
Sharad Yadav has already gone public with his view criticising Nitish Kumar's move to join hands with the BJP again.
Nitish Kumar on the other hand has made it clear that he would make no effort to pacify sulking Sharad Yadav.
"He is free to go where he wants," said the Bihar CM, who was in Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.
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