Mumbai, April 6 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) has delivered a sharp rebuke to the leadership of Maharashtra's Congress, focusing on state president Harshvardhan Sapkal and criticizing past "strategic blunders" and ongoing disputes over seat-sharing for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.

In an editorial from the Thackeray faction's mouthpiece, 'Saamana', there was a pointed remark about Sapkal’s aspirations to elevate his party's status.

"We extend our congratulations to Harshvardhan Sapkal for his ambition to elevate his party to new heights. We wish him success, as Rahul Gandhi has placed the leadership of Maharashtra in the hands of such a visionary leader. However, if he believes that reaching the 'summit' involves merely securing a single seat in the Legislative Council or Rajya Sabha, then that 'summit' clearly needs a new measurement," the editorial stated.

The Thackeray faction argued that the Congress party bears responsibility for the downfall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, attributing it to the hasty resignation of the Assembly Speaker (Nana Patole) in early 2021, which they claim initiated the current political turmoil in Maharashtra. “Had Congress not made that rash decision or error concerning the Speaker's position, the MVA government could have remained stable for at least another 15 years (until 2034),” they asserted.

The editorial contended that the premature vacancy of the Speaker's post, which was done without proper consultation, prevented the Governor from allowing a fresh election for that position, ultimately leading to the government's instability and collapse. Although Congress secured 13 Lok Sabha seats through MVA coordination, their approach during the Assembly elections stretched the "elastic" too far. “The Lok Sabha success (30 out of 48 seats for MVA) was the result of effective dialogue and collaboration. It highlighted that when regional parties are prioritized, Congress also thrives. However, fueled by those 13 seats, Congress's propensity to overreach during the Assembly elections inflicted some damage,” the Thackeray faction claimed.

According to the editorial, the Shiv Sena holds 20 MLAs, making it the largest party within the MVA. "Thus, the Shiv Sena’s contributions are significant. If Sharad Pawar was offered a Rajya Sabha seat, or if he accepted Uddhav Thackeray’s assurance for the Legislative Council, why should a major national party like Congress experience 'self-inflicted pain' (Aatmaklesh)?" they questioned.

In response to Sapkal’s call for "discussion," the editorial ridiculed Congress's internal disarray. “Sapkal advocates for a discussion, and rightly so, but there’s persistent ambiguity within Congress regarding whom to engage with. During the Rajya Sabha elections, the state leadership was indecisive; ultimately, the High Command backed Sharad Pawar's candidacy. Sapkal should direct his inquiries to Delhi, not here,” the editorial remarked.

The editorial conveyed a strong message targeting the national leadership of the INDIA bloc. “Rahul Gandhi frequently asserts in his 'India bloc' speeches that all parties are equal. Regional parties serve as amplifiers for local issues and the 'sons of the soil'. If Congress aims to lead nationally, it must not view the achievements of regional parties with 'greedy eyes'. Those aspiring to lead the center must regard regional parties as equal partners, not just as 'supporting crutches'. This is the essence of successful politics.”

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena urged Congress to demonstrate political maturity, emphasizing that compromise and understanding should not be perceived as weakness. “If Congress exhibits this maturity, only then will regional parties nationwide regard them with trust. What benefit is there in lamenting over a single Legislative Council or Rajya Sabha seat?” they questioned.