Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut Announces Independent Contest in Mumbai, Nagpur Municipal Elections

Mumbai, 11th January 2025: With tensions rising within the INDIA alliance, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut declared on Saturday that his party would contest the upcoming municipal elections in Mumbai and Nagpur independently.

Raut revealed that he had spoken with Nagpur party head Pramod Manmode about the decision. “We will contest the Municipal Corporation elections in Mumbai and Nagpur on our own. Whatever happens, happens. We will face it ourselves,” Raut told the media, adding that Uddhav Thackeray had signalled the party’s intent.

Raut emphasized that party workers rarely get the opportunity to run in general or assembly elections. He expressed concern that this was hindering the party’s growth, particularly in terms of strengthening its grassroots. “In the alliance, workers don’t get a chance to contest in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections. This is affecting the party’s development. We should contest the Municipal Corporation, Zilla Parishad, and Nagar Panchayat elections independently to bolster our party,” Raut stated.

This announcement follows Raut’s recent call for the Congress to take responsibility for preserving the INDIA alliance, formed to contest the 2024 general elections. He expressed frustration that no meetings of the alliance had been held since its formation, stressing that it was the Congress’s responsibility to convene one.

“The INDIA alliance was created for the Lok Sabha elections, but since then, no meeting has been convened. The Congress party is accountable for organizing this meeting,” Raut said. The alliance is currently facing internal challenges, with the Congress and AAP in Delhi at odds ahead of the February 5 assembly elections.