Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday took a sharp jab at the Congress, asserting that the party should focus on coordinating the opposition’s efforts rather than merely demanding a larger share in seat-sharing negotiations.
“Congress is a national party with 100 seats and has the potential to win more than 100 seats—but only if we all stand together,” Raut emphasized, underscoring the need for INDIA bloc unity following the BJP’s landslide victory in Delhi and AAP’s humiliating defeat.
INDIA Bloc at a Crossroads
Raut lamented the disarray within the opposition, stating, “PM Narendra Modi’s message—’if united, we are safe’—applies not just to the nation but also to the INDIA bloc. The alliance fought together in the Lok Sabha elections, but its assembly election strategies failed, allowing the BJP to dominate.”
Taking a dig at Congress, Raut added, “When elections come, we don’t need a ‘Big Brother’ just for seat-sharing. A leader’s job is to coordinate, not just to secure a larger share of seats.” He pointed out that similar issues arose in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, where Congress sought more seats but failed to lead decisively.
#WATCH | On Delhi election results and INDIA alliance, Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut says "We are all partners of the INDIA alliance, Congress is our senior partner and Rahul Gandhi is our leader…It is the responsibility of the senior partner to take everyone together. It was… pic.twitter.com/Wqm2gcgvSa
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2025
Congress vs AAP: A Self-Destructive Rivalry?
The editorial in Saamana, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s mouthpiece, launched a scathing critique of Congress and AAP, blaming their internal battle for handing Delhi to the BJP. “If this continues, why have an alliance at all? If Congress doesn’t learn from Delhi, it will be responsible for strengthening the BJP,” the editorial warned.
It further questioned whether internal forces within Congress were deliberately undermining Rahul Gandhi, stating, “If Congress leaders claim they had no duty to help AAP win, is it their duty to help BJP tighten its grip on power?” The editorial also accused Congress of mishandling Maharashtra, where last-minute infighting caused instability.
Anna Hazare’s Attack on Kejriwal: A New Twist
Saamana also scrutinized Anna Hazare’s criticism of Arvind Kejriwal, recalling how his anti-corruption movement had once shaken the Congress-led UPA but eventually paved the way for BJP’s rise. The editorial questioned whether the BJP ever upheld Hazare’s principles, despite his recent criticism of Kejriwal.
“Hazare’s joy over Kejriwal’s defeat is striking,” the piece noted, while also highlighting his comments on Kejriwal’s alleged character flaws and the liquor policy scam. “I warned him, but he didn’t listen,” Hazare was quoted as saying.
Future of Opposition Unity
As the INDIA bloc prepares for the Bihar Assembly elections, Raut remained optimistic, noting that Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav were committed to the alliance. However, Saamana cautioned that Congress’ approach could weaken opposition unity, citing its role in AAP’s defeat in 14 seats in Delhi.
“If this trend continues, opposition unity will remain a distant dream,” the editorial warned, raising concerns that a divided opposition risks cementing BJP’s dominance in future elections.