'No One Should Fear CAA': Maha CM Uddhav Thackeray After Meeting PM Modi In New Delhi

Sanjay Raut stated that during the meeting, Maharashtra CM would discuss issues concerning to the state such as financial assistance, farmers' distress, crop insurance, industries and refinery projects with the Prime Minister.

CM of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray as well as Minister in the Maharashtra Government Aditya Thackeray met PM Modi in New Delhi. (Image: Twitter/ PMO)

New Delhi: For the first time after taking oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Friday evening. Uddhav was also accompanied by his son and minister of Maharashtra Government Aditya Thackeray. Apart from PM Modi, Thackeray also meet other political bigwigs including Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani during his first Delhi visit after taking charge of Maharashtra in November 2019. After meeting the Prime Minister, Thackeray who was joined by Raut and son Aditya spoke to media and spoke about the range of discussions he had with him. "We have discussed on Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and National Population Register. I have already cleared my stance on these issues. No one should be scared of CAA," he said. Defending Centre's decision to implement the Amended Citizenship Act, Thackeray said, " This law (CAA) is not to take away citizenship from anyone. However, this law is about giving citizenship to the minorities of the neighboring countries."

NRC is problematic to every citizen, irrespective of caste, creed, religion any which way, and won’t let it come to Maharashtra. (4/4)

— Office of Uddhav Thackeray (@OfficeofUT) February 21, 2020

Meeting of the two former political allies of Maharashtra caught eyeballs of many as there are visible strains between Thackeray and his ideologically opposite alliance partners- the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress- over a host of issues, including their stand on the National Population Register (NPR) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Uddhav Thackeray as well as Minister in the Maharashtra Government, Shri @AUThackeray called on PM @narendramodi. @OfficeofUT pic.twitter.com/YOmxsBCGO3

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 21, 2020

After meeting PM Modi at around 6 pm today, Thackeray left for 10 Janpat Road to meet Sonia Gandhi at her residence. It was being said that Thackeray's meeting with Congress chief will hold discussions over the issue of CAA, NRC, NPR and Thackeray's scheduled visit to Ayodhya.

Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi & Shri @kharge meet with Maharashtra CM @OfficeofUT, Shri @AUThackeray, Shri @rautsanjay61 & Shri @NarvekarMilind_ pic.twitter.com/uxIu1SDAY0

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 21, 2020

After meeting Sonia Gandhi, Thackeray also me Advani to take his blessings. Raut had earlier said that the veteran BJP leader is like a father-figure for Thackeray as Advani and Balasaheb Thackeray (Uddav Thackeray's father) had a close relation.

Delhi: Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray and Minister in Maharashtra Government, Aaditya Thackeray meet senior BJP leader LK Advani at the latter's residence. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also present. pic.twitter.com/3orCIrIBVK

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2020

Sena leader Sanjay Raut, had earlier, downplayed the scheduled meeting and said that it is just a courtesy call and nothing such be read out of it. He said that Thackeray will meet PM Modi to seek expected help from the Centre for the development of Maharashtra. WATCH REPORT | Maha CM Uddhav Thackeray To Discuss State Issues With PM Modi: Sanjay Raut Raut also stated that during the meeting, Maharashtra CM would discuss issues concerning to the state such as financial assistance, farmers' distress, crop insurance, industries and refinery projects with the Prime Minister. Though it is said to be Thackeray's official visit to the national capital, but sources say that political aspects will also be explored in the meetings. Raut himself believes that though there are several political difference between Sena and the BJP, but there is a 30-year old emotional connect between the two parties. Even Sena chief has himself cleared that he and his party will never leave the issue of Hindutva and making it furthermore diligent, Thackeray is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on March 7. Sources close to the developments also told ABP News that discussions over Ram Mandir and Ayodhya might also take place during Thackeray's meet with PM Modi today.