Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 12: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut clarified on Sunday that his party's decision to contest upcoming local body polls independently is not a sign of discord within the opposition INDIA bloc or the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

Focus on grassroots strengthening
Raut stated that the decision to contest solo is aimed at bolstering the party’s presence at the grassroots level. "The MVA was established for assembly elections, and the INDIA bloc for the Lok Sabha elections. Local body polls are about empowering party workers and reinforcing our organizational foundation. At no point have I called for dissolving these alliances," he emphasized while addressing reporters.

Raut's earlier remarks on limited opportunities for party workers within alliances sparked speculation about a potential rift in the opposition. However, he urged critics to consider his full statement. "Our focus is on strengthening the 'flaming torch' symbol at the grassroots. Congress leaders should understand this before jumping to conclusions," he remarked.

Alliance strategy amid political challenges
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader underscored the importance of MVA partners collaborating at the booth level to regain their strength after the significant defeat in the November 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance had swept 230 of 288 seats, leaving the MVA with a modest tally of 46.

Criticism of NCP (SP) and government failures
Raut also criticized NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar’s discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding unrest in Beed and Parbhani. He accused the government of mishandling cases like the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh and the death of Somnath Suryavanshi, which have fueled protests and fears of caste-based conflicts across the state.

As the political landscape in Maharashtra evolves, the opposition continues to face challenges in uniting strategies while addressing state-level issues.