Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena Reiterates Commitment to MVA, Addresses Sangli Seat Controversy
Mumbai, 28th March 2024: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut emphasized the party’s determination to contest the Sangli Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra, underlining the importance of not inadvertently benefiting the BJP. Raut’s remarks came in response to inquiries regarding the frustration expressed by the Congress following the announcement of Sena’s initial list of 17 candidates, which included contenders for the Sangli seat and several from Mumbai.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) collaborates with the Congress and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) as part of the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra.
Leaders of the Congress Legislature Party, Balasaheb Thorat, and Maharashtra Assembly’s Leader of Opposition, Vijay Wadettiwar, urged their MVA partner to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding coalition principles.
Raut pointed out the inherent compromises within alliances, citing instances where Sena (UBT) allocated seats like Ramtek and Kolhapur to the Congress and Amravati to the same party, despite internal dissent.
He stressed the need for collective strengthening of the alliance over individual party interests, noting Sena’s (UBT) willingness to support Congress in its broader national leadership role, while questioning the abandonment of the fight against BJP over a single seat like Sangli.
Highlighting the potential for MVA’s victory in Sangli if the alliance remains unified, Raut revealed Sena’s (UBT) nominee for the seat, wrestler Chandrahar Patil, while cautioning against any actions indirectly aiding the BJP.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders expressed their desire to contest from Sangli, Mumbai South Central, and Mumbai North West seats, all included in Sena’s (UBT) candidate list.
Raut also addressed the decision of Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) to go solo in the Lok Sabha polls, trusting Ambedkar’s commitment to preserving democracy and the Constitution without inadvertently supporting the BJP.
The Lok Sabha polls for Maharashtra’s 48 seats are scheduled in five phases between April 19 and May 20, with votes set to be counted on June 4.
