'Politics In States, Different': Uddhav Sena Defends Ally Congress Amid Attacks From Akhilesh Yadav, Nitish Kumar

In the backdrop of discord within the I.N.D.I. Alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) has asserted that the coalition was forged with the primary objective of ousting what it perceives as a "dictatorial regime" at the helm of the central government.

The party emphasised that regional politics differ from national politics, clarifying that the assembly elections in five states scheduled for this month serve as a crucial "dress rehearsal" for the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In an editorial featured in the Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray-UBT) publication 'Saamana,' it was underscored that the Congress plays a pivotal role in all five states heading to the polls — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram.

The editorial argued that the Congress's success in these elections is imperative to counter the alleged abuse of power and the influence of wealth, thereby bolstering the I.N.D.I. Alliance.

The editorial expressed unwavering confidence in the I.N.D.I. Alliance's ability to emerge victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The editorial also acknowledged the concerns voiced by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who recently attributed the I.N.D.I. Alliance's inability to capitalise on its momentum to the Congress's preoccupation with the assembly polls in the five states.

However, Saamana advised Kumar against airing his concerns in public, as it contends that such actions only serve to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Furthermore, it pointed out that the Congress has not entered into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in Madhya Pradesh, and the Aam Aadmi Party is contesting separately, despite all three being constituents of the opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance.

The editorial emphasised that the primary aim of the I.N.D.I Alliance is to challenge and displace what it views as an autocratic regime at the national level, and while there may be differences at the state level, major political parties must make decisions in alignment with this overarching objective.

The editorial stated, “The I.N.D.I Alliance was formed to unseat the dictatorial regime at the Centre and everyone agrees to it. The politics in states is different and major political parties have to take decisions accordingly.”

Recent friction within the I.N.D.I Alliance surfaced due to the failure to reach a seat-sharing arrangement for the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls scheduled for 17 November.

Notably, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar acknowledged differing opinions among opposition parties regarding forming a unified front in certain state elections, but also stressed the importance of uniting for the impending Lok Sabha polls.