The Alliance of INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) meeting was held in Mumbai on August 31, 2023, and September 1, 2023. Ahead of this meeting, UBT Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi’s statement went viral when asked who would be the next face for PM candidate, over which she mentioned that “There are many faces as candidates for the post of PM, but if asked my opinion, then according to me it is Uddhav Thackeray, and he should be the candidate for the post of PM from the alliance of INDIA.”
In this statement, some NCP leaders expressed their wish to see NCP chief Sharad Pawar as the next candidate for the post of PM, while many other Congress leaders are expecting Rahul Gandhi to be the next PM.
During this ongoing meeting of the INDIA Alliance in Mumbai, we also tried to speak to several leaders to get clarity on who would be the next face as a candidate for the post of PM. Some leaders mentioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while others said that after the completion of this meeting they would come to a conclusion.
Congress senior leader Prithviraj Chavan told Afternoon Voice, “This meeting in Mumbai will focus on how they can win over the BJP, and this is why top leaders of parties in this alliance have come for this national conference.” It is possible that Shiv Sena UBT workers will consider Uddhav Thackeray for PM, but it will be difficult because a number of MPs will be elected, and the outcome will be determined by Lok Sabha elections.”
Sada Sarvankar, MLA of the Shinde-faction Sena, stated, “First and foremost, there are many differences within the INDIA alliance. But still, if a Marathi-faced candidate from Maharashtra is considered for the PM-post, we might think about supporting him.”
“This is yet another baseless statement coming from the INDIA alliance because nominating a candidate for the post of PM and actually being appointed as a PM are two different things, which is not possible, and this is why they are making such divergent statements,” BJP MLA Ram Kadam said.
“These are all rumors; as of now, there is nothing going on over the PM’s candidate’s face from our party,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare said. As a result, we will provide additional information following the INDIA Alliance meeting.”
“Uddhav Thackeray is not capable of becoming PM because there are many internal differences in their party, and they need an elected number of MPs that can elect him as PM,” MNS leader Amey Khopkar said. “Thackeray should first ensure that his party’s MLAs and MPs are not leaving the party before considering such a high-level position.”
“We definitely have a lot of faces in this alliance, and this INDIA alliance meeting will allow a lot of people to put forward their opinion as we believe in democracy where we listen to everyone’s suggestions and opinions after which we will come to a conclusion,” NCP’s Mahesh Chavan of the Sharad Pawar faction said.
“There are many faces for the PM’s candidate,” VBA Vijay Landge said. “While there is talk of Uddhav Thackeray as a candidate for the post of PM, when we consider a leader at the national or mass level, Rahul Gandhi should be considered as a candidate for the post of PM.”
“INDIA Alliance has many faces as candidates for the post of PM, but that decision will be made only after their final meeting and official declaration given by them, as the agenda of their alliance is to win over the BJP,” Swabhimani President Paksha Raju Shetti said.
