10 July,2025 01:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. File Pic.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated on Thursday that arrangements such as the INDIA bloc or the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are not necessary for the upcoming local and civic body elections in Maharashtra, reported news agency PTI.
The Rajya Sabha member was speaking to reporters in Mumbai during a routine media interaction.
"MVA was formed for the Maharashtra assembly elections, and the INDIA bloc for the Lok Sabha polls. There is no need for such alliances when it comes to civic elections," he said.
Approximately two dozen parties from across the country are part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), while the MVA comprises the Congress, Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP).
Raut also referred to the public sentiment in Mumbai and other cities for a joint contest between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
"There is pressure from people for Sena (UBT) and MNS to contest the civic polls in Mumbai and other cities in the state together. However, since the elections are yet to be announced, we will make a decision at an appropriate time," Raut said.
According to PTI, elections in Maharashtra's civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are likely to be held later this year. The Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena, which split in 2022, had controlled the BMC for nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, responding to Raut's remarks, Shiv Sena leader and state minister Uday Samant criticised the possible alliance between the Sena (UBT) and MNS.
"After the alliance is formed, one party will only try to fulfil its agenda," Samant commented, indirectly targeting Uddhav Thackeray's party.
However, Samant was speaking to the media on the premises of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan.
Moreover, Samant also highlighted a contrast between recent public statements by Raj Thackeray and those from the Sena (UBT) camp, referencing the joint rally of the two parties earlier this month.
"Raj Thackeray spoke about concerns of the Marathi community, while the other (Uddhav) spoke only about politics," he said.
However, few days ago, Raj shared the stage with Uddhav in Mumbai at a victory gathering titled 'Awaj Marathicha' to celebrate the rollback of two government resolutions issued by the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, which had introduced Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in Maharashtra schools, according to PTI.
Meanwhile, the coming together of the estranged cousins has not only energised cadres of both parties, but it could also offer a lifeline to both MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), which are striving to regain their footing after setbacks in the assembly polls last year.
Leaders of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, have indicated that they might contest the polls in most civic bodies jointly, with the exception of a few friendly contests among allies in select local bodies.
(With inputs from PTI)
