Differences in Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) over MNS’ possible entry into Opposition alliance

Mumbai: Amid back-to-back meetings between the Thackeray cousins - Uddhav and Raj - differences seem to be cropping up within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra about the possible entry of the MNS into the Opposition alliance.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is batting for Raj Thackeray-led MNS entry into MVA, however, the Congress, which leads the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc nationally, has not yet applied its mind on this issue.

With Bihar elections round the corner, the Congress does not seem to commit anything at this stage because of Raj’s stance on the issue of migrant workers in Maharashtra’s cities like Mumbai and other growth centres.

Besides, a large number of Congress leaders want to go alone in the civic polls including the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

About the recent meetings of the Thackeray cousins, state Congress president Harshavardhan Sapkal said, “We are the ones who believe in uniting India. Whether two brothers meet or how often they do so is not something Congress objects to. Decisions about who joins the INDIA alliance (Congress, NCP (SP) and Sena UBT) will be made collectively by its constituent parties.”

However, on Tuesday, when an “all party delegation” meets Maharashtra’s Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam to flag concerns related to the electoral process, Raj will join the team which includes Uddhav, Sapkal and NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar.

Talking to reporters on Monday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who is a close aide of Uddhav and friend of Raj, said that MNS wants Congress to be taken along.

When asked whether Raj is ready to be part of the MVA, Raut said, “Even 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 on this.”

However, Raut went on to add he has spoken to AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on "certain issues”.

“I will also have a word with (leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi while Uddhav will speak to (Congress president and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha) Mallikarjun Kharge,” he said, adding that the Congress at state-level does not decide and the party's high command takes a call.

“Everyone has a place in state politics. The way Shiv Sena (UBT) has, MNS also has a place, so does Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and 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," Raut said.

About the delegation to the State CEO, MNS leader and former minister Bala Nandgaonkar said: “The meeting is about matters related to elections…Pawar Saheb, Uddhav Ji, Raj Saheb, Sapkal Saheb, Varsha Gaikwad, Prakash Reddy, Subhash Lande and Rais Shaikh would be going together.”

Both Raut and Nandgaonkar confirmed that they have also invited Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar to join the delegation.

Asked about alliance with MVA and Congress, he said, “There is no point discussing (on alliance) as the all-party meeting (with CEO) is related to elections and transparency…other issues Raj Saheb will clarify and speak.”

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have not yet announced an alliance for the civic polls, though with six back-to-back meetings and public appearances together, it seems to be in the offing.