Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena Urges Congress to Respect Regional Parties
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Mumbai, Jan 13 (NationPress) In light of ongoing discussions about the possible fragmentation of the INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the Shiv Sena(UBT) has taken a jab at the Congress party through an editorial in its publication, Saamna. The editorial highlights that Congress should avoid belittling regional parties, as it cannot independently contest in numerous states.
"The Congress party lacks the strength to fight alone, yet it continues to meddle in the affairs of regional parties. This was evident in Maharashtra. It is a reality that allies who entered the BJP’s 'cave' have lost their identity. Congress should discard this attitude. The Congress party is and will continue to be a national entity, and there should be no doubt about its status," the editorial stated.
"The seasonal creatures that appear during monsoon vanish as soon as the rains end. We believe that alliances like 'INDIA' formed for electoral purposes should not have a fleeting existence and must be committed to national service. While Congress and AAP may clash in Delhi, portraying Kejriwal as anti-national during election campaigns is not reflective of Congress's culture. If Congress has the capability to defeat the Modi mentality on its own, it should certainly do so. However, the way a state like Maharashtra was won through mafia-like tactics reveals the nature of the politics embraced by the BJP and its affiliates. To counter this distortion, we require a surge of unity, leadership from the INDIA bloc, and potentially a convenor. Otherwise, everything will be in vain. The All India National Congress must deliberate on whether to allow this to occur," the editorial urged, calling upon Congress to initiate steps to strengthen the opposition alliance.
"There exists an INDIA bloc across the nation and an MVA in Maharashtra, yet the public perceives them as disorganized. Who is accountable for this? When these alliances were established and began functioning, they sparked enthusiasm within every constituent party and the public at large. Indians felt confident that a force was emerging to confront the arbitrary governance and corruption plaguing the country. There was a palpable sentiment that Modi could be challenged nationally and the illegitimate government in Maharashtra was being confronted, but are these alliances now fading into inactivity? This is detrimental to the nation," the editorial expressed.
It further commented, “The tree of the INDIA bloc appears to be withering. Omar Abdullah from the National Conference noted that the last meeting of this alliance took place on June 1, 2024. Following that, Assembly elections occurred in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand. Congress was unable to make significant strides in these elections, facing major defeats in Haryana and Maharashtra. Subsequently, doubts were raised about the viability of the INDIA bloc. Mamata Banerjee publicly stated that she formed the INDIA Alliance and is prepared to lead it if given the chance. This indicates that Congress's leadership is not acceptable to many. Lalu Prasad Yadav echoed similar sentiments.
In states like Punjab and Delhi, AAP and Congress are at odds. In Kerala, there's a confrontation between Congress and the Left. In West Bengal, Congress continues to oppose the Trinamool, leaving no alternative. Each regional party must uphold its own role, workforce, and identity, yet Congress is unwilling to recognize this. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is an experienced leader, but the question remains: who will take responsibility for mending the disarray within the INDIA bloc?" the editorial stated.
The editorial pointed out that some parties currently in the INDIA bloc were once part of the National Democratic Alliance. “What insights can we glean from that alliance? Regardless of whether it was in power, whenever a national issue emerged, an ‘NDA’ meeting was convened in Delhi. Leaders like Pramod Mahajan and L.K. Advani would often visit states to confer with local party leaders. The NDA also maintained a strong convenor role. A senior leader like George Fernandes held this position for an extended period, engaging with the heads of all constituent parties and conducting meetings with respect. Occasions arose when leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee or L.K. Advani would preside over such gatherings. Hence, it must be acknowledged that the bonds within that alliance were genuine, forged on familial ties.
In this context, the Shiv Sena(UBT) editorial strongly advocates for a robust INDIA bloc, asserting that "elections may come and go, but it is crucial to eliminate jealousy, hatred, and rumors to confront those who have hijacked the elections and seized control of the nation."
