Javed-Shabana shared draft Oppn CMP with Mamata

August 02, 2021 13:56

On July 29, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar flew to New Delhi to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was in the national capital in an effort to bring together a common Opposition front against the government. Naturally, speculation was rife behind the Bollywood power couple's meeting with the West Bengal CM.

However, the poet-lyricist himself told a media briefing later, "It was a courteous meeting. This is the history of Bengal that it had led revolutionary movements. The artists and intellectuals of Bengal support Mamataji. We congratulated her on her election victory. We are grateful to Mamataji for her support to the amendment in the royalty bill by which music composers, songwriters, lyricists can benefit from the royalty."

However, a source close to Akhtar and Azmi revealed to this writer the true agenda behind their meeting with Banerjee.

"Shabana and Javed are trying to meet as many Opposition leaders as they can in order to give them a draft common minimum programme put together by academics, economists, civil liberties activists, including Javed Saab, so they have substantial ground to come together as one strong, united opposition.

"This is the agenda that took them to New Delhi to meet Mamata. In coming weeks you will see them making several such trips to meet other politicians for a united Opposition front."

-- Subhash K Kha

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