INDIA Bloc Faces New Rift as Congress Declares Independent Stand in Mumbai Civic Polls

Mumbai:

Tensions are brewing within the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra following Congress's reluctance to align with MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Senior Congress leader and former Mumbai president Bhai Jagtap announced today that the party intends to contest the upcoming civic elections independently, rejecting alliances with both Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray.

According to Jagtap, this decision emerged from recent discussions with a newly formed committee including Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, though no formal announcement has been made.

Shiv Sena UBT leader Anand Dubey promptly responded to Jagtap's statement, asserting that alliance decisions would ultimately be determined by senior leadership including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Uddhav Thackeray.

"Do not challenge us. We are Shiv Sena and in the last election we contested alone and defeated the BJP. We respect our alliance partners but are also ready to contest the elections alone," Dubey firmly declared.

The Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's party have maintained their alliance since 2019, a coalition orchestrated by Nationalist Congress chief Sharad Pawar that has endured numerous challenges despite ideological differences.

However, complications arise as Uddhav Thackeray appears to be rebuilding bridges with his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. The Thackeray cousins are reportedly seeking common ground before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, widely regarded as Asia's wealthiest civic body.

Sharad Pawar's position on this developing situation remains unclear.

This potential rift mirrors recent developments in Bihar, where electoral pressures have fractured the Grand Alliance. Despite no explicit statements from Congress or Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, the parties have failed to reach a seat-sharing agreement.

Both parties have independently fielded candidates, creating friendly contests across multiple constituencies that could ultimately benefit the BJP.

Additionally, Hemant Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, sidelined during negotiations, has announced its withdrawal from Bihar elections and indicated it would reassess the alliance in Jharkhand, despite all three parties participating in the Raipur government.