Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena Urges Congress Not to Undermine Regional Parties

"Congress does not have the strength to fight, but it does not stop putting its fingers in the bowl of the regional parties. Its results were seen in a state like Maharashtra. One truth that should be accepted is that the allies who entered the BJP's "cave" have lost their existence.

Amidst the discussion of the falling apart of the INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the Shiv Sena(UBT) in its mouthpiece 'Saamna' editorial took a dig at the Congress party saying that it should not undermine the regional parties as it alone cannot fight on its own in many states.

"Congress does not have the strength to fight, but it does not stop putting its fingers in the bowl of the regional parties. Its results were seen in a state like Maharashtra. One truth that should be accepted is that the allies who entered the BJP's "cave" have lost their existence.

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Congress should not behave with that attitude. Congress is and will remain a national party. There is no reason for anyone to have any doubts about that," says the editorial.

"The earthworms or frogs formed during the monsoon season are destroyed as soon as the monsoon season ends. We are of the opinion that alliances like 'INDIA' formed for elections should not have a short life and should always be dedicated to national service. Congress and AAP may have a face-off in Delhi, but projecting Kejriwal as an anti-national during the poll campaign issue is not in keeping with the Congress culture. If Congress 'alone' has the ability to defeat the Modi mentality, no one will stop them. They should definitely do it. Still, winning a state like Maharashtra in a mafia-like manner shows what kind of politics the BJP and its affiliated gangs are winning. To fight this aberration, we need a thunderbolt of unity, leadership of the INIDIA bloc and if possible, a convenor. Otherwise, everything will go to waste. The All India National Congress should consider whether to permit that to be, reads the editorial urging Congress to take an initiative to further the opposition alliance much more.

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" There is INDIA bloc in the country, MVA is in Maharashtra and there is a feeling among people that they seem to be going in a mess, who among them is answerable for all this? When these two alliances were constituted and began their work, excitement was generated in each constituent party in the alliance and public mind in general. Indians felt convinced that a power had been instituted to challenge arbitrary administration and graft thrust upon the country. The feeling that Modi could be defeated in the country and the illegal government in Maharashtra started to burn like lightning, but are these two alliances now becoming dull and inactive? This is not good for the country," reads the editorial.

It further adds, "The tree of INDIA bloc does not seem to be blooming.". Omar Abdullah of the National Conference says that the last meeting of this alliance was held on June 1, 2024.

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After that, the Assembly elections of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand were held. Congress could not make a big leap in these elections. Congress suffered a major defeat in Haryana and Maharashtra.

After that, questions started being asked about the existence of the INDIA bloc. Mamata Banerjee even said publicly that she established the INDIA Alliance and now if she gets this opportunity, then she is ready to lead this alliance.

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Therefore, the leadership of the Congress is not acceptable to anyone. Lalu Prasad Yadav also expresses the same views.

"In many states like Punjab and Delhi, AAP and Congress are fighting each other.". The Left is the one fighting with Congress in Kerala. In West Bengal, there will be no alternative to fight with Trinamool as the Congress is there. As every regional party needs to maintain its own role, workers, and existence, the Congress party is not ready to understand this. The INDIA bloc's congressional president, Mallikarjun Kharge, was a seasoned leader with vast experience but asks who would take responsibility of restoring the disarray that had arisen in that bloc," editorialized.

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Some of today's members in the INDIA bloc were erstwhile members of the National Democratic Alliance. "What does the experience of that alliance then tell us? Whether it was in power or not, when a national issue arose, an 'NDA' meeting was called in Delhi.

Often, leaders like Pramod Mahajan and L.K. Advani would go to that state and discuss with the party chiefs there. The NDA also had a strong convener.

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For long, there has been a senior leader like George Fernandes in this position and this convenor would communicate and consult with the top person of all the constituent parties, and conduct the meetings with gravitas.

Sometimes Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to preside over such meets or L.K Advani would. Therefore, it should be accepted that relationship between that alliance was not shallow but family relationship.

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Against this backdrop, the Shiv Sena(UBT) editorial pitches a good case for the strong INDIA bloc saying: "elections will come and go but one must insist to put an end to jealousy, hatred and gossip to take on those who have hijacked elections and taken control of the country.".

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