08 June,2026 02:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut said that alliance partners should work together to address the country`s challenges. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said that there was no question about Rahul Gandhi's leadership and that Opposition would need a common face for 2029 polls, reported the IANS.
He said, "Firstly, it is clear that before the 2029 elections, we will have to present a common face of the INDIA bloc to the public as our prime ministerial face. This has always been the role of Uddhav Thackeray, and it will continue to be so this time as well," the news agency reported.
According to the ANI, Raut launched a strong attack on the BJP-led NDA government, saying the INDIA bloc's primary objective is to remove those who have "betrayed the nation"
His remarks came as leaders of opposition parties gathered for the INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Raut strongly defended Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi after posters criticising him appeared across parts of the national capital, as per the ANI.
The posters reportedly featured comments made by several opposition leaders, including NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
Rejecting criticism of Gandhi, Raut said those questioning his leadership were mistaken.
"Rahul Gandhi is one of the most important, popular and energetic leaders in the country. The government is afraid of him," he said.
Raut said Shiv Sena (UBT) would participate in the INDIA bloc meeting virtually through party chief Uddhav Thackeray.
He stated that the alliance's focus remains on strengthening opposition unity ahead of future elections.
"There is only one agenda - to remove the people who have betrayed the nation," Raut said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also underlined the need for the INDIA bloc to project a common face before the electorate ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
"Whether it is a General Election or a state Assembly election, there should be a face," he said, indicating the alliance should identify a leadership figure before the next national polls.
Earlier in the day, Raut reiterated Shiv Sena (UBT)'s commitment to the opposition alliance through a post on X.
He said party president Uddhav Thackeray would join the meeting virtually and stressed that the INDIA bloc must become "more united and stronger".
Raut added that alliance partners should work together to address the country's challenges and bring political change in 2029.
The meeting comes amid signs of strain within the opposition alliance.
The DMK, once considered a key ally of the Congress within the INDIA bloc, chose not to attend the meeting following the end of its long-standing political partnership with the Congress. The split came after the Congress aligned itself with actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which exited the INDIA alliance last year, also stayed away from the meeting.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said representatives from 23 political parties were expected to participate in the meeting.
Congress leader Udit Raj warned that the DMK could weaken itself by distancing itself from the opposition alliance. He argued that remaining neutral would indirectly benefit the BJP and weaken opposition efforts.
Commenting on AAP, Raj said the party was facing internal challenges and claimed that if it became significantly weaker in the future, it could eventually move closer to the BJP.
The developments have added to discussions about the future direction, leadership and cohesion of the INDIA bloc as opposition parties prepare for the 2029 elections.
(with IANS and ANI inputs)
