MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday reiterated that it was the responsibility of Congress to save the India alliance, which was formed by opposition parties before Lok Sabha polls to take on BJP. He said no meeting was held since LS polls and that the alliance had no convenor.
Raut’s comments on India alliance, coupled with the party’s decision to contest BMC polls on its own, raised questions about the survival of the bloc. “It is the responsibility of Congress to save India Bloc. It is the largest party in the alliance. India Bloc was formed to contest LS polls. But after the polls, there has not been a single meeting. The responsibility of calling a meeting lay with Congress,” said Raut.
“We have not been able to announce a convenor till now. This is not the way it should be if one wants to take on a big force,” he said. Raut’s statement came in the backdrop of J&K CM Omar Abdullah’s remarks expressing dismay over the lack of clarity on bloc’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Congress representative Vijay Wadettiwar said, “India Aghadi is still strong. There is no weakening of India alliance in Delhi.” On Saturday, Raut also took on Wadettiwar’s recent statement that delays in MVA seat-sharing talks may have been part of a conspiracy to hurt Congress. “Then why did Congress lose in Haryana, J&K and WB ? There was no Shiv Sena there. In an alliance, there has to be understanding and compromise. Those who do not accept this should leave,” Raut said.
