Days after Shiv Sena (UBT) announced its decision to contest Maharashtra local body polls solo, party leader Sanjay Raut emphasized that no alliance can survive without open dialogue among its partners. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Raut urged the Congress, as the largest party in the INDIA bloc, to take responsibility for ensuring effective communication among alliance members.
“To sustain an alliance, responsible leaders must maintain communication channels. Congress, being the biggest constituent of the INDIA bloc, should take on this role,” Raut said.
While defending his party’s decision to go solo in the local polls, Raut clarified that the Shiv Sena (UBT) remains committed to the INDIA bloc and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliances, which include the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP).
Raut also pointed out that competing against coalition partners in elections is not inherently problematic, provided mutual respect is maintained. “There’s nothing wrong in contesting elections against allies. However, no one should resort to calling former or potential future partners ‘traitors,’” he asserted, adding that this was the stance of Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Reflecting on past political events, Raut claimed the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance fell apart in 2019 due to a lack of communication. “The breakdown of dialogue directly led to the alliance’s collapse. This lesson must not be repeated,” he said.
With nearly 30 parties in the INDIA bloc, Raut reiterated the need for dedicated leadership to foster collaboration. “Uddhav Thackeray has consistently highlighted the importance of communication during INDIA bloc meetings. Congress, as the largest party, must lead by example,” he noted.
He further underscored the INDIA bloc’s success during the Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing the need to continue building on that momentum. However, Raut maintained that contesting municipal elections in Maharashtra solo was essential for Shiv Sena (UBT) to strengthen its base.
“While alternative strategies may be explored, alliances must prioritize dialogue and mutual respect to succeed,” Raut concluded.
