West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee undertook a 2-day visit to Maharashtra where she met senior leader Sharad Pawar of the NCP, and Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, although she could not meet Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray due to his recovery from surgery.

Speaking to media along with Sharad Pawar and Nawab Malik of the NCP, Mamata Banerjee that there needs to be a “strong alternative front” to counter the “fascism going on in the country” and spoke of an Opposition alliance.

While Sharad Pawar said that the Congress is “essential” to any such united front, Mamata said that they need a party “that fights”, indicating skepticism of the Congress’ assumption of a ‘larger’ role in any such alliance.

“No one can do it alone. Everyone who is strong is a particular region has to be taken along. Sharadji is the senior-most leade, and I have worked along with him for a long time. Therefore, I came for political courtesy and discussions with him” she said.

Banerjee also summarily dismissed the idea of a “UPA leadership” and said that that alliance does not exist anymore. However, all who were willing to fight would be taken along.

Pawar was quoted as saying: “Today, my colleagues and I had a long chat with her (Mamata Banerjee). Her intention is that in today's situation like-minded forces have to come together at national level and set up collective leadership”.