Congress slams Shiv Sena (UBT) for accusing it of using regional allies as ‘crutches’

Mumbai: The Congress on Monday hit out at the Shiv Sena (UBT) over the latter's accusation that the grand old party was using regional outfits as "crutches", and not treating them as "equal stakeholders" in the Opposition alliance.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant criticised the editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana, alleging that the newspaper's executive editor, MP Sanjay Raut, appears confused on several occasions between his roles as a politician and journalist.

In a strongly-worded post on X, he noted that while a journalist's duty is to point out shortcomings objectively, a political spokesperson often targets opponents, and confusing the two roles leads to ignoring one's own accountability.

He claimed that Raut feels whatever he says is the "ultimate truth" and stressed that he doesn't feel that in an alliance like the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), all constituent parties have their own views, which must be discussed before making announcements.

"Taking unilateral decisions and then looking at Congress leaders is not in line with the spirit of alliance politics," Sawant said, questioning whether such an approach is appropriate.

The Congress leader further claimed that the lack of coordination and dialogue within the alliance cost the MVA power in key civic bodies of Mumbai and Chandrapur.

"We are sincerely fighting against the BJP and are not interested in indulging in blame games. Introspection is equally important," he added.

The Shiv Sena (UBT), in its editorial, took a dig at the Congress, saying, "Those who harbour ambitions to lead the government at the Centre must not just use regional parties as crutches, but should treat them as equal stakeholders."

Accommodating regional parties doesn't exhibit weakness, but it is a sign of political maturity, it stated.

If Congress wishes to come to power at the Centre, strong alliances in states were the only option, and it should send a message that despite being a national party, it respects regional players, the Sena (UBT) said.

The party's ire was directed at the Maharashtra state Congress leadership over the recent Rajya Sabha elections and the upcoming legislative council polls.

The Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) were keen to contest the Rajya Sabha polls, but NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar became the consensus candidate, and he won unopposed.

Objecting to Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sakpal's statement that discussions need to be held for the council polls, the party claimed that the Congress was upset over Pawar's stand that NCP (SP) will support anyone suggested by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for the legislative council polls.

Why should Congress sulk if Pawar accepts what Thackeray decides? it remarked and stated that ignoring regional parties' views indicates narrow-mindedness.

"If the Congress really wishes to come to power at the Centre, forming strong alliances in the state is the only way. Being accommodating (to regional players) is not a weakness. It is political maturity," the editorial said.

If the Congress displayed this maturity, it would be assuring for many regional players, including those in Maharashtra, it said, adding that regional parties act as "loudspeakers" for the sons of the soil and local issues.

"The Congress should give a message that, because it is a national party, it respects regional parties and thinks about the development of the nation. What is the use of sulking over a legislative council or a Rajya Sabha seat?" it said.

It further noted that the MVA's gains in the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, winning 30 out of 48 seats, were due to coordination and dialogue within the alliance.

The Sena (UBT) also blamed the Congress for the current "anarchic" situation in Maharashtra, pointing out that had the then assembly speaker Nana Patole, who hailed from the Congress, not resigned abruptly, the MVA would have remained in power for the next 15 years.

It added that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in his speech on the INDIA bloc, stated that all parties are equal, and both Thackeray and Pawar are equally backing him in his fight.

If there is a change in power in the state, Congress will get to lead it with cooperation from regional allies, the Shiv Sena (UBT) said.