In a significant political development, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut announced on Monday that he will travel to Delhi next week to hold discussions with the Congress high command. This move comes amidst growing uncertainty over the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance's strategy for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Raut's Delhi Mission: Securing MVA Unity
Sanjay Raut stated that his primary objective is to convince the Congress leadership to remain a part of the MVA for the crucial civic polls. "Congress must be part of MVA for BMC polls. This is our stand," Raut asserted. He clarified that while the Shiv Sena (UBT) has been in discussions with the Congress, the party's stance remains firm on maintaining the alliance.
Raut acknowledged the Congress's renewed confidence following the party's performance in the recent Bihar assembly poll results. "If Congress's confidence increased after the Bihar poll results, then they can fight BMC polls alone, but it is our stand that the MVA must be there and the Congress must be part of this MVA," he elaborated. This statement follows Congress's announcement last month to contest the BMC elections independently and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray's subsequent remark that the Congress is an independent party free to make its own decisions.
Sharp Criticism for Ruling Alliance and Electoral Culture
Raut did not hold back in his criticism of the ruling MahaYuti coalition, comprising the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He launched a scathing attack, predicting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah "would dig the grave of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena." He also highlighted the recent meeting between Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, suggesting a broader opposition unity against the BJP.
"With Raj Thackeray coming along, BJP is going to be defeated. Mumbai's enemy is BJP. Mumbai is being pushed down the throat of Adani," Raut claimed, framing the upcoming civic battle as a fight for the city's soul. He emphasized the necessity of aligning with Raj Thackeray to stop this perceived takeover.
Allegations of Money Power and Destroyed Electoral Culture
The Rajya Sabha MP raised serious concerns about the use of money power in the ongoing election campaign. He pointed to the Shinde faction's announcement of 'Lakshmi Darshan' events on December 1, urging the Election Commission to take note. "In some places, Rs 10,000 or Rs 15,000 Lakshmi Darshan is going on for one vote. There has never been such a game of money in municipal elections," he alleged.
Raut lamented the transformation of local body elections, noting the unprecedented use of helicopters and private planes. He squarely blamed Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis for this shift. "The electoral culture of this state has been destroyed. In the last four to five years, the culture has been destroyed under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis," he charged. He described the current political environment as a competition among the three ruling alliance partners—BJP, Shinde's Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP—to prove who is more powerful, rather than a focus on governance.
As Mumbai gears up for its high-stakes civic polls, Sanjay Raut's planned Delhi visit underscores the intense behind-the-scenes negotiations to salvage opposition unity. The outcome of his talks with the Congress leadership will be crucial in determining whether the MVA presents a united front or a fractured opposition against the well-resourced ruling coalition, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle for control of India's financial capital.
