CAA-NPR: Uddhav Thackeray's Stand May Trigger Friction In MVA Coalition

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena supremo, Uddhav Thackeray told the media after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Friday evening, that people had nothing to fear from Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He added significantly that the National Population Register (NPR) would be conducted in Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray was flanked by Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and the chief minister's son, Aditya Thackeray.

Uddhav Thackeray's assertion on CAA and NPR is bound to put the relations between alliance partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state under severe strain. The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party NCP have been vocal critics of CAA, NRC and NPR.

Senior Congress leader in charge of Maharashtra affairs, Mallikarjun Kharge, had observed that all-important decisions should be taken through a process of consensus. The NCP has also been toeing this line. Both the alliance partners have cautioned Uddhav Thackeray against going ahead with NPR.

Uddhav Thackeray told the media on Friday that he had a fruitful discussion with PM Modi over issues related to Maharashtra. He said that he also discussed the CAA, NPR and NRC with the Prime Minister. The Shiv Sena supremo added—"the NPR is not going to throw anyone out of the country." The Prime Minister also assured him that there were no plans for a nationwide NRC exercise.

In reiterating that NPR will be conducted in Maharashtra, Thackeray seems to have thrown up a fresh point of friction among the constituents of the MVA coalition. The Maharashtra Chief Minister, on his part, said that the government would complete its full term of five years.