Leaders of both parties, including Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and the BJP’s Gopinath Munde, on Sunday made a joint appearance at the third Akhil Bharat Bramhin Mahasabha at Ideal Colony, Kothrud.

Leaders of both parties, however, maintained that it was not a platform to gain political mileage.

Addressing the Mahasabha, Thackeray said Bramhins have been respected for their deeds and in the same way every person should be given respect for good work rendered. He added that fighting on a caste basis was not right. “We won’t achieve anything if we fight on caste lines. The sons-of-the-soil (Marathi manoos), irrespective of caste, should unite,” Thackeray said, adding that all Hindus at the national level should unite.

He criticised the UPA government for not taking action against Pakistan for the bomb blasts.

“Everyone knows all terrorist activities are carried out from Pakistan, but the UPA is merely threatening them. There is no strong action,” he said adding that Sena supremo Bal Thackeray had 20 years ago demanded strong action against Pakistan but “it is now that we are realising it”. He demanded the government to hang Ajmal Kasab for the attack on Mumbai and Afzal Guru for attack on Parliament. “It is high time people taught the ruling Congress a lesson in the elections,” Thackeray said.

Munde said Sena and BJP are jointly raring to contest the coming elections in a bid to defeat the Congress-led alliance. He said professionals in every field have left the country due to poor governance. “We will ensure the best talents return once we are elected to power,” he said. Munde said there should be reservation for the economically poor from the upper caste.

Besides Munde BJP leaders who were present included legislator and city BJP chief Girish Bapat, corporators Ujjwal Keskar, Mukta Tilak, Seema Sirdeshpande, Ganesh Bidkar and Madhuri Misal along with probable Lok Sabha candidates Anil Shirorle, Vikas Mathkari and former MP Anna Joshi.