Nobody should...: Sena-UBT adamant despite Cong's objection

Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that his party was firm on contesting from Maharashtra's Sangli Lok Sabha seat, stressing that nobody should do anything that will directly help the Bharatiya Janata Party.

IMAGE: Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Photograph: ANI Photo

Raut was responding to questions about Congress' exasperation after his party on Wednesday announced its first list of 16 candidates, including for the Sangli seat and a few from Mumbai.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena-UBT, Congress and NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar are partners in the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra.

Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra assembly Vijay Wadettiwar had asked their MVA partner to reconsider its decision, stressing that it did not suit “coalition dharma”.

Raut said there is always give and take in an alliance and they gave Ramtek and Kolhapur seats to the Congress. He said Sena-UBT has also given Amravati to the Congress.

“Even our local cadres were upset but we did not allow the resentment to spiral,” he said.

Congress took Ramtek so Sena-UBT said it would contest from Mumbai North. In an alliance, there is a need to strengthen and expand it, not individual parties, he said.

"The Congress has to lead the nation and we support the party in its endeavour. Will Congress give up the fight against BJP just for one seat (Sangli)," he asked.

If the opposition alliance stays together as a cohesive unit, MVA can easily win the Sangli seat, he said. Sena-UBT has nominated wrestler Chandrahar Patil for Sangli.

“If someone has other intentions to help the BJP indirectly, we will not allow that to happen,” he said.

According to Congress leaders, the party is keen to contest from Sangli, Mumbai South Central and Mumbai North West seats, all included in the list released by Sena-UBT.

Raut was also asked about the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) deciding to go solo in the Lok Sabha polls.

He said it is Ambedkar's duty to protect the Constitution and democracy. “I am sure Ambedkar will not take any step to help the BJP,” he added.

Lok Sabha polls for Maharashtra's 48 seats will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20 and votes will be counted on June 4.