Shiv Sena (UBT) to fight Mumbai, Nagpur municipal polls alone: Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut's statement comes amid signs of tension between the Congress and its regional allies in the INDIA bloc.

Updated on: Jan 11, 2025, 15:34:55 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut announced on Saturday that his party would go solo in the upcoming Mumbai and Nagpur municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra.

The statement from Sanjay Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP and senior member of the Uddhav Thackeray-headed Sena (UBT), comes amid signs of tension between the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP(SCP).

Also Read: Battle for Delhi splits INDIA bloc

“We will fight on our own, whatever happens, will happen. We have to see for ourselves. Uddhav Thackeray has given us a signal,” Raut told reporters in Mumbai, according to ANI. He added that he had discussed the matter with Pramod Manmode, the Nagpur unit chief of Sena (UBT).

‘Party growth affected’

Raut also said that the party's growth was “affected” as workers were not getting a chance to contest polls due to the alliance. Further, the senior politician remarked that the INDIA group was only for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, echoing the recent remark by Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Bihar's former deputy chief minister, Tejashwi Yadav.

“After the (Lok Sabha) elections, not a single meeting of the INDIA bloc was held. The Congress was responsible for calling this meeting,” Raut noted.

Also Read: Congress vs the rest? Fissures in INDIA bloc play out in public

In the Lok Sabha polls, which the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won to secure its third straight term, the INDIA bloc was successful in denying the BJP a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. The party formed a government with support from its NDA allies.

However, the Congress' subsequent defeat to the BJP in Haryana and that of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress, Sena-UBT and NCP-SP) against the NDA in Maharashtra have exposed fissures within the alliance.

Also Read | Sena (UBT) leaders, workers quit en masse, make beeline for Mahayuti

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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