Maha Vikas Aghadi remains united; equations of local body elections are different: Ambadas Danve

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve discusses party's decision to contest local body elections solo amid MVA unity.

With the Shiv Sena (UBT) announcing that it would go alone in the upcoming local body elections, party leader Ambadas Danve on Sunday (January 12, 2025) said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is united but the equations of local body elections are different.

Talking to reporters in Pune, Mr. Danve, the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, alleged that the ruling Mahayuti was eager to break the MVA. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party on Saturday (January 11, 2025) announced that it would contest local body polls solo. This move has raised questions about the Opposition bloc's unity.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut cited the lack of opportunities for workers of respective parties in an alliance and the right to organisational growth as the major considerations for contesting solo.

Mr. Danve said, "The MVA is united. However, the equations for elections to the local governing body are different. The ruling parties are eager to break our alliance. But their wish won't be fulfilled." Asked about party leader Aaditya Thackeray's meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said, "There is nothing wrong with meeting the Chief Minister to discuss issues of the people if they will be solved at his level." Mr. Danve hit out at Nationalistic Congress Party (NCP) leader and State Minister Dhananjay Munde over the murder case of Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massjog village in Beed.

"Criminals are being protected under Munde's leadership in Beed. So it is clear that such a person should not hold a constitutional post," he said.

Which alliance governed Maharashtra better: Maha Vikas Aghadi or Mahayuti?