<p>Mumbai: Days after the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/shiv-sena-ubt">Shiv Sena (UBT)</a> decided to contest the forthcoming local bodies' polls in Maharashtra independently, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party on Monday seems to mount an attack on the Congress for undermining regional parties within the opposition I.N.D.I.A. opposition bloc.</p><p>In an editorial in Saamana, the Shiv Sena (UBT) asked the Congress to decide whether it wants to fight the BJP alone or take others together.</p><p>Later speaking to reporters, close Thackeray aide and Rajya Sabha member <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/sanjay-raut">Sanjay Raut</a> too took exception to the Congress for ignoring allies.</p><p>The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s stand comes days after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said that the opposition's alliance should be dissolved as it was created for Lok Sabha polls and the war of words involving the Congress vs Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in the run up to the Delhi state polls. </p>.'I.N.D.I.A. bloc is intact': Akhilesh refutes speculations of cracks in opposition alliance .<p>"INDIA alliance should be strong... I don't believe what Omar Abdullah said…no meeting of the Opposition's bloc took place after the Lok Sabha elections of 2024,” pointed out Raut, who is also the executive editor of Saamana. </p><p>On the Delhi issue, he said: “As of now, I can't say anything on this issue. Because we do not have a connection with the Delhi assembly polls. The AAP, Congress and the political parties on the ground there should decide how to fight in a better way with the BJP." </p><p>According to Raut, the Congress being the largest party, must ensure that there is a dialogue among the allies. </p><p>"It is the collective desire of all of us to progress further in the political landscape of this country. However, over the past few days, some of our alliance partners seem to have taken the stance that communication has broken down. No alliance can succeed if dialogue is severed,” said Raut pointing out that the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance broke in October-November 2019 because of the lack of dialogue and communication. </p>.<p>“It has to be noted that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc consists of nearly 30 parties and to maintain dialogue with all of them, it is essential to appoint some responsible leaders,” Raut said.</p><p>According to him, Thackeray in the meetings of INDIA leaders have always stressed on the role of communication among the allies. </p><p>“We did perform well in the country's politics during the Lok Sabha elections, and it must continue to thrive. As the largest party in the alliance, the Congress bears the greatest responsibility. Congress must assume this role," Raut said.</p><p>"In a state like Delhi, for example, the AAP and the Congress can compete. Similarly, in municipal elections (in Maharashtra), as we have suggested, a different approach might be necessary," he said.</p>
<p>Mumbai: Days after the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/shiv-sena-ubt">Shiv Sena (UBT)</a> decided to contest the forthcoming local bodies' polls in Maharashtra independently, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party on Monday seems to mount an attack on the Congress for undermining regional parties within the opposition I.N.D.I.A. opposition bloc.</p><p>In an editorial in Saamana, the Shiv Sena (UBT) asked the Congress to decide whether it wants to fight the BJP alone or take others together.</p><p>Later speaking to reporters, close Thackeray aide and Rajya Sabha member <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/sanjay-raut">Sanjay Raut</a> too took exception to the Congress for ignoring allies.</p><p>The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s stand comes days after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said that the opposition's alliance should be dissolved as it was created for Lok Sabha polls and the war of words involving the Congress vs Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in the run up to the Delhi state polls. </p>.'I.N.D.I.A. bloc is intact': Akhilesh refutes speculations of cracks in opposition alliance .<p>"INDIA alliance should be strong... I don't believe what Omar Abdullah said…no meeting of the Opposition's bloc took place after the Lok Sabha elections of 2024,” pointed out Raut, who is also the executive editor of Saamana. </p><p>On the Delhi issue, he said: “As of now, I can't say anything on this issue. Because we do not have a connection with the Delhi assembly polls. The AAP, Congress and the political parties on the ground there should decide how to fight in a better way with the BJP." </p><p>According to Raut, the Congress being the largest party, must ensure that there is a dialogue among the allies. </p><p>"It is the collective desire of all of us to progress further in the political landscape of this country. However, over the past few days, some of our alliance partners seem to have taken the stance that communication has broken down. No alliance can succeed if dialogue is severed,” said Raut pointing out that the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance broke in October-November 2019 because of the lack of dialogue and communication. </p>.<p>“It has to be noted that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc consists of nearly 30 parties and to maintain dialogue with all of them, it is essential to appoint some responsible leaders,” Raut said.</p><p>According to him, Thackeray in the meetings of INDIA leaders have always stressed on the role of communication among the allies. </p><p>“We did perform well in the country's politics during the Lok Sabha elections, and it must continue to thrive. As the largest party in the alliance, the Congress bears the greatest responsibility. Congress must assume this role," Raut said.</p><p>"In a state like Delhi, for example, the AAP and the Congress can compete. Similarly, in municipal elections (in Maharashtra), as we have suggested, a different approach might be necessary," he said.</p>
