UPA’s presidential poll candidate Pranab Mukherjee is likely to meet Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray when he visits Mumbai on July 13. On the day, Mr Mukherjee will address a gathering of elected representatives of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan at Nariman Point.
“Mr Mukerjee is scheduled to meet the Sena chief on July 13 at 6 pm. I would be present at the meeting along with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan,” said Mr Manikrao Thakre, president, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, adding that Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar will also attend the meeting.
Even though the BJP is backing P.A. Sangma in the presidential election, the Shiv Sena had decided to support the UPA nominee. Mr Thackeray, while announcing his support to Mr Mukherjee, had said that the UPA nominee is a more deserving candidate than Mr Sangma. “I have taken this decision in the interest of the country. Let bygones be bygones. All of us must support Mr Mukherjee unanimously. Let us show the world our unity,” he had said.