During a press briefing, Raut shared that he had discussions with the Congress leadership, urging them to participate in the civic polls as part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which he believes should also involve the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
However, he noted that the Congress leadership has left the decision up to local party leaders.
Raut further stated that elections will take place for 29 municipal corporations in the state, emphasizing that the “real battle” is in Mumbai, which was pivotal in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement.
The elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are scheduled for January 15.
This will be the first set of civic elections following the splits in the Shiv Sena (2022) and the Nationalist Congress Party (2023), events that significantly altered Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Read more: NCP will be excluded from BJP-Sena alliance to divide secular votes: Wadettiwar
The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray, and MNS have been increasingly aligning after their losses in the 2024 state elections, although the Congress has dismissed the idea of collaborating with Raj Thackeray’s party.
“There is no issue with announcing the partnership (between Shiv Sena-UBT and MNS) in the coming week. Both Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray will share the stage for the announcement,” Raut stated in response to inquiries about the alliance.
The two parties plan to unite for civic elections in major cities such as Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira Bhayander, Pune, and Nashik, he added.
Local units will decide on the collaborations in other civic bodies, according to the Rajya Sabha member.
On that same day, Raut met with the MNS president for discussions that likely covered several topics, including seat sharing.
Following the meeting, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar mentioned that discussions between the two parties would continue, but provided no further details.
“Currently, Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are forming an alliance,” Nandgaonkar stated.
Regarding collaboration with the Congress, Raut commented, “I don’t foresee Congress joining us at this moment. They should have aligned with us.” “I communicated with the party leadership, but they have deferred the decision to local leaders. Our request to the local Congress unit is to avoid actions that could assist the BJP,” he remarked.
Read more: High drama in Parl: Priyanka, Oppn MPs protest removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from rural employment Bill
The Sena (UBT) leader warned that people would remember the stance taken by the Congress, emphasizing the importance of considering upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
Raut indicated that he will also engage with NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, a component of the MVA.
While the NCP (SP) may not hold significant sway in Mumbai, Raut believes that Sharad Pawar’s party and Shiv Sena (UBT) should team up in other civic elections.
