Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asserted that the Congress can make its decisions independently, and his party can do the same, following an announcement by the Grand Old Party and fellow Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally that it is planning to contest the Mumbai civic body polls alone.
Thackeray’s statement affirming political discretion comes amid reservations expressed by a section within the Congress against including the Raj Thackeray-led MNS in the Opposition bloc, and amidst the growing proximity between the Thackeray cousins.
Thackeray also questioned the massive mandate received by the National Democratic Alliance in the Bihar elections. He stated it was difficult to understand the new arithmetic of democracy, where rallies (of Opposition leaders) attracted massive crowds, but the candidates failed to win.
Apparently questioning the integrity of the electoral process, Thackeray asked whether the tremendous support received by Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav was genuine or had been created through artificial intelligence.
Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad had announced on Saturday that the party is preparing to contest the upcoming polls for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) independently.
"The Congress is an independent party, and so is mine. The Congress is free to take its decision, and my party is also free to do so," Thackeray told reporters.
Targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI), Thackeray said that despite the united opposition flagging irregularities in the voters' list and organising a march, the electoral body is unwilling to discuss these issues. "We don't oppose elections because it is the lifeline of politics. But should it be called democracy if there is no transparency in the poll process?" the former Chief Minister asked.
He also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of scheming to finish off regional parties, adding that any party that crushes regional pride will not survive in the country.
Also read: Mumbai Cong chief accuses BJP of ₹5,000 cr PAP scam
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