With murmurs of differences emerging within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over the possible inclusion of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday said no discussion had taken place over the issue. “Therefore, there is no question of anybody complaining when there has been no discussion,” Mr. Sapkal said, reacting to reports that he had gone to New Delhi to complain about the inclusion of the Raj Thackeray-led party and that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had written a letter to the Congress leadership against him.
Later in the day, Mr. Raut also clarified that he had not written any letter. “Raj Thackeray had joined a delegation of Opposition parties to meet the Election Commission officials. When I initially spoke to Sapkal, he said he would have to speak with the central leadership to take a call on the issue. That is the system in Congress. They need to take permission from the central leadership. They can’t take any calls here. There is no question of complaining against him,” Mr. Raut told The Hindu.
The State Congress chief, who was not a part of the delegation of Opposition leaders that met the Election Commission officials, said, “I had gone to Delhi to attend a meeting with the senior party leaders. It was already decided. There is no question of complaining in this.”
‘INDIA bloc’s call’
When asked about the possibility of Mr. Raj Thackeray’s inclusion in the MVA, Mr. Sapkal said the delegation which had gone to meet the Election Commission had nothing to do with the alliance. “There is no proposal as yet from the MNS. It will be incorrect to speak about it. If anyone has to be included in the INDIA bloc, the decision will be taken by members of the INDIA bloc,” he said.
Published – October 17, 2025 01:06 am IST
