INDIA bloc meeting: No question about Rahul's leadership; Oppn needs a common face for 2029 polls, says Raut

Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said that there was no question about Rahul Gandhirsquos leadership and that Opposition would need a common face for 2029 polls reported the IANSHe 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 reportedMumbai Maharashtra Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut says There is no question about Rahul Gandhirsquos leadership 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 hashellip pictwittercomb3TIaCSG8rmdash IANS ians_india June 8 2026According to the ANI Raut launched a strong attack on the BJPled NDA government saying the INDIA blocs primary objective is to remove those who have betrayed the nationHis remarks came as leaders of opposition parties gathered for the INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitution Club in New DelhiRaut defends Rahul GandhiSpeaking 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 ANIThe 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 KejriwalRejecting criticism of Gandhi Raut said those questioning his leadership were mistakenRahul Gandhi is one of the most important popular and energetic leaders in the country The government is afraid of him he saidAgenda for Opposition allianceRaut said Shiv Sena UBT would participate in the INDIA bloc meeting virtually through party chief Uddhav ThackerayHe stated that the alliances focus remains on strengthening opposition unity ahead of future electionsThere is only one agenda mdash to remove the people who have betrayed the nation Raut saidThe 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 electionsWhether 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 pollsShiv Sena UBT reaffirms support for INDIA blocEarlier in the day Raut reiterated Shiv Sena UBTs commitment to the opposition alliance through a post on XHe said party president Uddhav Thackeray would join the meeting virtually and stressed that the INDIA bloc must become more united and strongerRaut added that alliance partners should work together to address the countrys challenges and bring political change in 2029The meeting comes amid signs of strain within the opposition allianceThe DMK once considered a key ally of the Congress within the INDIA bloc chose not to attend the meeting following the end of its longstanding political partnership with the Congress The split came after the Congress aligned itself with actorturnedpolitician Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK in Tamil NaduMeanwhile the Aam Aadmi Party AAP which exited the INDIA alliance last year also stayed away from the meetingCongress leaders respondSenior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said representatives from 23 political parties were expected to participate in the meetingCongress 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 effortsCommenting 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 BJPThe developments have added to discussions about the future direction leadership and cohesion of the INDIA bloc as opposition parties prepare for the 2029 electionswith IANS and ANI inputs