In the backdrop of the upcoming municipal elections, all political parties have intensified their activities. Leaders are reviewing their party organizations and holding meetings with workers.
Amid this, political circles are abuzz with talk of a possible alliance between Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. A few days ago, MP Sanjay Raut made a significant statement, saying, “I also want to take Congress, a constituent party of Raj Thackeray’s Maha Vikas Aghadi, along.”
However, Congress leader Bhai Jagtap has now made a strong counterstatement that has sparked political debate.
“Let alone Raj Thackeray, we will not contest the upcoming municipal elections even with Uddhav Thackeray,” said Bhai Jagtap.
Following his remarks, speculation about a split within the Maha Vikas Aghadi has gained momentum. Jagtap clearly indicated that the Congress will contest the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections independently. He made these comments while speaking to IANS.
What did Bhai Jagtap say?“We will not contest the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections with Uddhav Thackeray, let alone Raj Thackeray. Even when I was the president of the Mumbai Congress, I had made this clear ‘on Danke Ki Chot’,” said Bhai Jagtap.
“In the recent Congress meeting, almost everyone expressed the same view. Our leader Ramesh Chennithy was also told that these are local elections, meant for our workers, not just for leaders. The workers too deserve an opportunity to contest. Therefore, we should not ally with the Shiv Sena, and there is no question of joining hands with Raj Thackeray.”
Bhai Jagtap further said, “We have made our stand clear. Congress has never said it would accept Raj Thackeray, nor will it ever do so. The Maha Vikas Aghadi is not Uddhav Thackeray’s single-party front but a coalition. When it was formed, there was only one Shiv Sena; now there are two. Uddhav Thackeray can take his own decisions, but Congress will make its own. Our party workers in Maharashtra should have the freedom to decide on local election strategies.”
Also Read: Congress Slams BJP for 'Corporate Hindutva' and Politicising Religion and Identity