Mumbai: Tensions have been escalating within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in recent days. The Congress party has expressed dissatisfaction with the time spent on seat-sharing negotiations during the assembly elections, suggesting that this focus came at the cost of effective campaigning, indirectly targeting the Shiv Sena (UBT). In response, the UBT has hinted at the possibility of contesting local body elections independently.
Adding to the speculation of a rift within the alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, in an editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece Saamana on Monday, emphasised that no alliance can succeed without dialogue among its partners.
The editorial also criticised Congress for labeling Arvind Kejriwal a traitor during the Delhi elections, arguing that such actions are inconsistent with the core values of the Congress party.
Raut emphasised that the goal of making the INDIA alliance stronger and more influential in the country’s politics is shared by all. “However, over the past few days, some of our alliance partners seem to have taken the stance that communication has broken down. No alliance can succeed if dialogue is severed,” he said.
He highlighted examples such as the breakdown of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance and the failure of the 2019 alliance, both of which he attributed to poor communication among partners.
Uddhav Thackeray has repeatedly stated in INDIA alliance meetings that responsible leaders should be appointed to maintain communication with the 30 parties in the alliance. Other leaders have also raised their concerns.
Omar Abdullah pointed out that although the alliance was formed for the Lok Sabha elections, it performed exceptionally well, even diminishing Narendra Modi’s majority in the Lok Sabha. Therefore, it is essential for the alliance to survive and work beyond Parliament as well.
When Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad was asked about the criticism made by Sanjay Raut, she responded that it might be his personal opinion and refrained from commenting further. She added that if the local body elections are to be contested independently, they have done so in the past, and if their central leadership directs them, they will fight on their own strength.
Raut meets Sharad Pawar
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut met with Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Monday amid doubts over the opposition MVA coalition’s future. The two discussed for about 20-25 minutes at Pawar’s residence, Silver Oak. It is reported that they also discussed the future of the MVA in the upcoming local body elections.
