Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray (R) with Sanjay Raut (L).
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Days after Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena extended support to the BJP for the forthcoming Delhi Legislative Assembly elections strengthening the ruling NDA, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), which is a constituent of the I.N.D.I.A., has decided to stay neutral within the opposition bloc.
The Delhi polls are set to be triangular between ruling by Arvind Kerjiwal-headed AAP, Congress and BJP.
“Thackeray would not campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections. We have decided to stay neutral (within the opposition bloc). Both Congress and AAP are friends of Shiv Sena (UBT),” Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said.
“We are not going anywhere (for campaigning). We are neutral," said Raut, a close aide of Thackeray.
A few days ago, Shinde, the Deputy Chief Minister, who is the chief leader of Shiv Sena, had extended support to BJP and a formal letter was sent to BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda.
In the letter, Shinde had said, “The Shiv Sena under my leadership has been a torch bearer of Hindutva ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. Following this legacy, the Shiv Sena is a member of the NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Delhi Assembly Election 2025 | The first of two state assembly polls this year sees a three-way contest between AAP, Congress, and BJP in the nation's capital. AAP decided to contest the polls alone, causing rumours of a rift in I.N.D.I.A. BJP, meanwhile, is hoping the liquor excise policy scam and pollution in Delhi will give the saffron party an edge over AAP. Kejriwal, on the other hand, has different plans with his demand for reservations for Delhi Jats. Congress will also be looking to make its presence felt and has not held back from attacking its own alliance partner. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.
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