Maharashtra civic elections: Congress rules out alliance with MNS

Mumbai Congress on Friday has ruled out an alliance with the Raj Thackerayled Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS for the upcoming Maharashtra local body elections and said that it lsquowill not tie up with intimidators reported the PTIThe Congress said that the party will not partner with those who break the law or intimidate people a clear reference to the Raj Thackerayled partyrsquos ldquosonsofthesoilrdquo style of politicsReacting to the remarks MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said that the party functions independently and is not part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA which comprises the Shiv Sena UBT Congress and NCP SP according to the PTIldquoRaj Thackeray takes the decisions in our party What others say has nothing to do with usrdquo he statedCongress recently announced that it would contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC elections on its own a decision that comes amid increasingly warm ties between Uddhav Thackerayrsquos Shiv Sena UBT and Raj Thackerayrsquos MNS The announcement prompted Shiv Sena UBT to urge Congress not to rush into a solo contest and to consider the importance of Opposition unity as per the PTIMumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad told reporters on Friday that all alliancerelated decisions were taken after consulting party workers leaders and senior functionaries She emphasised the Congressrsquos longstanding relationship with the Sharad Pawarled NCP SP recalling their joint contests in past Lok Sabha and Assembly elections the news agency reportedShe added that some factions of the Republican Party of India RPI were inclined to join Congress but made it clear that the party ldquowill not tie up with those who take the law into their own hands or indulge in intimidationrdquo an another indirect swipe at the MNS as per the PTIA section within Congress strongly opposes allying with the MNS fearing it may alienate north Indian and Muslim votersResponding to reports that Sharad Pawar was attempting to bring the Congress Shiv Sena UBT and MNS together Gaikwad said the veteran leader enjoys crossparty respect but stressed that Congress had not held any discussions on such an allianceldquoHypothetical questions have no meaningrdquo she saidGaikwad also sidestepped a question on NCP SP leader Supriya Sulersquos comments urging Opposition parties to contest the civic polls together Sule had said her party would discuss the possibility of joint contests with Shiv Sena UBT and review the political environment in Maharashtra as per the PTIGaikwad reiterated that Congressrsquos fight is against the BJP and that its decision to contest alone was made after wide consultation and conveyed to the party high commandShe accused the BJP and the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena of neglecting Mumbairsquos real issues including law and order concerns womenrsquos safety corruption in the BMC irregularities in cluster redevelopment potholeridden roads pollution and problems linked to health education and the suburban rail networkldquoInstead of addressing Mumbairsquos pressing concerns the BJP and Shinde Sena focus on caste and religion to determine who will become mayor and attempt to polarise the elections Mumbairsquos citizens are wise and will vote responsiblyrdquo she added the news agency reportedwith PTI inputs