Sharad Pawar on INDIA Bloc: ‘Only for National Elections,’ Responds to Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Local Poll Decision

Sharad Pawar on INDIA Bloc: The comment of Sharad Pawar (SP) meant that the attempt to forge an INDIA bloc of opposition parties was only for national elections, raising questions about the formation and future existence of the anti-BJP alliance.

“There has never been any discussion on state and local elections in INDIA alliance. INDIA alliance is only for national-level elections. In the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra, everyone will decide by holding a meeting in 8-10 days whether we will fight together or alone,” the veteran leader said.

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Pawar's reaction came after Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) had on Saturday decided to undertake electoral strengthening alone in relation to local bodies.

Sanjay Raut said, "there is a lack of opportunities for workers of respective parties in an alliance" and the right to organisational growth are major point of contention for independent participation.

Shiv Sena (UBT) to contest local polls alone

In other words, from that moment, the Shiv Sena (UGT) would be competing by itself, two days before it announced backing for Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi elections held on February 5.

A leader of Congress had commented that the final call would be made by the party's central leadership on taking part in local elections.

NCP (SP) with Sharad Pawar believed that the news would probably affect the election campaigning of the three coalition partners of MVA.

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Raut covertly stressed that cooperation between Alliance INDIA and the partnership was initiated for the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections.

"In an alliance, workers of individual parties don't get opportunities, and it hampers organisational growth. We will contest polls to the Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur and other municipal corporations, zilla parishads and panchayats on our strength," PTI quoted Raut as saying.

However, Raut cleared the air on Sunday, asserting that neither he nor his party had ever asked for the dissolution of the INDIA bloc.

"The MVA was formed for the assembly polls and INDIA bloc for the Lok Sabha elections. The local body elections are meant to empower party workers and strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level. I or my party have never said that the INDIA bloc or the MVA should be dissolved," the Rajya Sabha MP added.

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