Sonia Gandhi Expresses Regret For Skipping Swearing-In Event in Letter to Uddhav Thackeray, Says Hopeful of CMP Implementation

New Delhi/Mumbai, November 28: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday sent a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister-designate Uddhav Thackeray congratulating him as he embarks on new innings in his life. In her letter, Sonia Gandhi informed Uddhav Thackeray that she won't be able to attend his swearing-in and added that the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress will implement the Common Minimum Programme, finalised by the three parties, "in letter and spirit". Uddhav Thackeray Swearing-In Ceremony: Arvind Kejriwal to Skip Shiv Sena Chief's Oath, Here's Why.

"Aaditya met me yesterday and extended your kind invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony this evening in Mumbai. I regret that I am unable to be present at the function," Sonia wrote in her letter. "The Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress have come together under quite extraordinary circumstances at a time when the country faces unprecedented threats from the BJP. The political atmosphere has become poisonous and the economy has collapsed. Farmers are facing great distress," she stated. Ajit Pawar Confirms He Won't Take Oath Today, NCP Remains Undecided on Deputy CM Post.

"The Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress have agreed to a common programme and I am confident that all three parties will strive their utmost to implement that programme in letter and spirit. The people of Maharashtra expect the alliance to provide cohesive, purposeful, responsible, responsive and transparent administration and our collective effort will undoubtedly be to ensure that these expectations are fulfilled," Sonia added.

While Sonia Gandhi gave her consent to form an alliance with ideological adversary the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Rahul Gandhi conveyed his reservations. During meetings with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul's trusted aide KC Venugopal had also opposed the idea of going with the pro-Hindutva Shiv Sena. Congress leaders from Maharashtra, however, were in favour of the alliance to form a non-BJP government. Sonia Gandhi eventually had given a green signal and the Maha Vikas Aghadi then came into existence.

On Tuesday, Uddhav Thackeray was unanimously elected as the leader of the tri-party alliance. The political development came after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor as "the BJP fell short of the required number of MLAs to win the scheduled floor test".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 28, 2019 05:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).