Uddhav Sena in talks with Congress to include Raj Thackeray’s MNS in MVA: Raut

Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief party spokesperson told media persons here on Monday that his party is in talks with top leaders of the Congress, exploring the possibility of including Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the Congress-led opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to fight the forthcoming local civic body elections in Maharashtra.

Replying to a question about whether Raj Thackeray and his MNS would be part of the MVA to fight the forthcoming local civic body elections in Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut said, “Raj Thackeray desires that the Congress, which is a constituent of the MVA, should be taken along. This is his stand. But this does not mean any decision has been taken about this.”

Advertisement

Raut told media persons that he has spoken to All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal about “certain issues” and will also talk to opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Raut also said that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will also talk to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

“Everyone has a place in Maharashtra state politics. (Uddhav Thackeray-led) Shiv Sena has its place, MNS also has a place, and so does Sharad Pawar-led NCP, as well as the Left parties. For instance, our stand is that Congress should be part of the all-party delegation. Even Raj Thackeray is of the same opinion,” Sanjay Raut said.

However, later on Monday, MNS leaders expressed their displeasure to media persons about Sanjay Raut speaking on behalf of Raj Thackeray. “We will present our party’s stand. We have not made any proposal to Congress about any alliance so far,” MNS leaders said.

Shortly after MNS leaders expressed their displeasure about Sanjay Raut’s statement to media persons about Raj Thackeray’s views, Sanjay Raut issued a clarification to Raj Thackeray through a personal message that “I did not say anything like that”.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Chennithala, the Maharashtra in-charge of the Congress, held a meeting of Congress leaders working in Maharashtra on Monday to review preparations for the local civic and municipal body elections to be held in the western state.

At the meeting, several Congress leaders from Maharashtra expressed the view that the Congress must fight the local civic body elections alone, and many of them were not positive about an alliance with Raj Thackeray’s MNS.

Earlier, on October 7, Maharashtra Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal had expressed his reservations about including Raj Thackeray’s MNS in the MVA.

Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, Sapkal said, “Our negotiations will be held at the local level. Therefore, our local leadership at the district, block, and municipal levels will make decisions. We have left all these matters to their decision. Therefore, Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi do not need another new constituent”.

After Maharashtra Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal expressed his reservations about including MNS in the Opposition’s MVA, MNS leader Avinash Abhyankar reacted by saying, “Who went to the Congress party to seek permission to include MNS in the Maha Vikas Aghadi? Nobody from the MNS went to them. I do not know what exactly Harshvardhan Sapkal has spoken about, but as far as the MNS is concerned, Raj Thackeray alone will take the final decision”.