The main leader of Congress, Ashok Chavan, said on Sunday that the Shiv Sena is not part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), as the link between Congress and the Shiv Sena is only limited to Maharashtra.
“Shiv Sena has not yet become part of the UPA. Our alliance with the Seine in Maharashtra is based on a Common Minimum Program (CMP) and is limited to Maharashtra, ”he said.
Chavan also added that it was not appropriate for the Sena to comment on the leadership of the UPA.
The Pwd state minister’s comments came just a day after Shiv Sena’s deputy Sanjay Raut called for expansion of the congressional-led bloc, saying the opposition should unite against the Center’s “dictatorial attitude” and toast a “formidable alternative” to the government of Narendra Modi. Raut had also appreciated Sonia Gandhi and said that she effectively led the UPA all these years with many allies in the fold. In response to a query about speculation that the head of the CPN, Sharad Pawar, could head the UPA, Raut said there was no shortage of leaders in the country.
“The important thing is the support of the people. Apart from Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar has the support of a representative sample of people, ”he said.
Chavan responded to this comment and said that it was inappropriate for the party led by Uddhav Thackeray to comment on the leadership of the UPA.
“Sharad Pawar himself has denied speculation that he will be the next UPA president. UPA allies trust Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. So there is no need to discuss the issue, ”said Chavan.
The Shiv Sena heads the government of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, of which the NCP and Congress are constituents.
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