The Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit pointed to murmurs from disgruntled Congress leaders and figures linked to the erstwhile UPA regime, suggesting that the INDIA bloc’s leadership could be entrusted to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin
Sena (UBT) urges regular coordination among INDIA bloc partners. Representational Pic
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Wednesday said the debate over leadership of the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc has resurfaced and can no longer be brushed aside, signalling unease within the alliance and taking an apparent swipe at the Congress.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit pointed to murmurs from disgruntled Congress leaders and figures linked to the erstwhile United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, suggesting that the INDIA bloc’s leadership could be entrusted to West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, news agency PTI reported.
“The decision has to be taken on Mamata, Stalin or someone else,” an editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana said.
Instead of waking up only when elections are announced and then discussing the Opposition alliance, it is necessary to hold deliberations among partners and take considered decisions, the editorial opined.
The Congress has been leading the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
‘What happened to INDIA after Lok Sabha polls?’ asks Saamana
“The issue of change in the leadership of the INDIA bloc has once again come to the fore. What happened to the INDIA bloc after the Lok Sabha polls? This question is before many. But has this question occurred to the Congress?” the editorial questioned.
In West Bengal, the Congress is fighting against the Trinamool Congress led by Banerjee. In Kerala, it is up against the Left. In Maharashtra, the Congress chose to contest independently in the recent civic body polls, which benefited the BJP, it noted.
“The question concerns not just the nation but also the political discourse. Whenever elections are announced, the INDIA bloc may wake up and hold talks. But taking a conscious decision by sitting together is wiser,” it suggested, reported PTI.
“The decision has to be taken on Mamata, Stalin or someone else,” the Marathi publication reiterated.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has taken a firm stand that he remains unbothered if he is “thrown out of Parliament” or cases are foisted on him by the government, which reflects his fighting spirit, the editorial said.
However, party workers become lethargic if they remain away from power and lose the hunger to regain it, the editorial added.
Even though the BJP did not secure a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and its government at the Centre survives with outside support, its “arrogance” has not diminished, the Sena (UBT) claimed.
This is not the first time the Sena (UBT) has expressed disappointment with the Congress.
Responding to a question by PTI in an interview last month on whether the INDIA bloc still exists, Thackeray said, “Probe a bit and check whether the INDIA bloc is there or not. It is true that we met only once after the Parliament polls at Rahul ji’s residence.”
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
