Raj Thackeray wants Congress on board: Sanjay Raut on possibility of MNS inclusion in Oppn fold

Mumbai: The MNS wants the Congress should be taken along, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said, indicating that the Raj Thackeray-led party could be a part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Raut's remarks came amid a buzz of cousins Raj Thackeray and Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray joining hands for the upcoming local body polls in the state, though it is still unclear if the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head will be part of the larger Opposition alliance.

Responding to a question on whether Raj Thackeray is ready to be part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Raut told reporters, "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," the Rajya Sabha member stressed.

Raut said he has spoken to AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on "certain issues" and will also talk to Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Uddhav Thackeray will also talk to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, he said.

A section of state Congress leaders has, however, opposed any move to join hands with the MNS, especially ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly polls.

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, Raut said.

"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.

He was referring to a delegation of Opposition parties comprising Raj, Uddhav and Pawar that will meet the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra on Tuesday.

Raj and Uddhav have met at least six times in the last few months.

Once estranged, they appear to have reconciled after the drubbing their parties received in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have not yet announced an alliance for the civic polls, though their leaders have confirmed that it is on the cards.