Milind Deora: Splits in Sena, NCP led to Congress emerging as primary Oppn force

Congress leader Milind Deora in an interview with PTI addressed the political upheavals in Maharashtra resulting from divisions within the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party He emphasized that these disruptions have positioned the Congress as the most prominent opposition force in the state which will now lead the fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliesReflecting on the unexpected alliance between the Shiv Sena and the Congress in 2019 Deora acknowledged the unique opportunities and challenges that came with it This alliance part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA defied expectations uniting two parties often seen as ideological rivalsThe former Lok Sabha member from south Mumbai in the interview highlighted the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the partys successes in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka assembly polls in 202223 have boosted the morale of Congress workers and indicated positive prospects for the party in the upcoming elections in five statesDeora underlined the significance of Mumbai in Indias political landscape drawing parallels between the challenges faced in the city and those at the national level He stressed that when a political party performs well in Mumbai it tends to achieve national successMumbai is in my opinion a reflection of politics in India We must remember that whenever a party does well in Mumbai it inevitably forms government nationally We have seen that happening in 1999 BJP 2004 2009 Congress 2014 and 2019 BJP Deora told PTIDiscussing the changing dynamics of Maharashtra politics Deora acknowledged the unforeseen alliance between the Shiv Sena the Congress and the NCP under the MVA banner He pointed out that Congress was back in power as part of the MVA government which presented both opportunities and challengesOne never thought the Shiv Sena and the Congress would come together in 2019 under Maha Vikas Aghadi or MVA banner along with NCP This alliance brought certain opportunities and also certain challenges for Congress The opportunity was the Congress was back in power from November 2019 to June 2022 as part of the MVA government and the challenge was whether the main pole of politics against the BJP would be the Congress Deora maintainedDeora expressed hope for the Congresss future in the context of political disruptions in Maharashtra particularly the shifts of major NCP and Shiv Sena factions towards the BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA in 202223 Following these developments he stated that the Congress would lead the oppositions efforts ensuring that seatsharing and alliances are equitable among opposition partiesAfter the setback to the Shiv Sena and the NCP due to splits in their ranks the largest party in the opposition space is the Congress which has kept its flock intact It is clear that Congress will now be leading the battle on behalf of the opposition Negotiations for seatsharing and alliances in Maharashtra for Lok Sabha polls will be done in such a way that everybody will have an equal seat on the table he saidHe believes that the Congress being the most robust party in the opposition space has a bright future He also touched upon the partys emphasis on conducting a caste survey while maintaining its focus on core economic issues like unemployment and inflationThe former Mumbai Congress president admitted that the Mumbai Congress had lost touch with local issues challenges and the aspirations of Mumbai residents He highlighted the need to reintegrate local concerns such as housing for the lowermiddle class and slumdwellers and improving public transportDeora also recognised that every city has unique challenges citing the emergence of regional parties like the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata and the Aam Aadmi Party AAP in Delhi as examples of the Congress being sidestepped in large cities However he pointed out that Mumbai is the only city where the Congress still has a significant presence with the potential to connect with the partys voter baseIn conclusion Deora emphasized that the Congresss growth and success depend on addressing local issues and connecting with the people He recognized that political disruptions including the realignment of political ideologies have introduced substantial changes in recent years As he observed Mumbais political landscape has evolved beyond considerations of religion caste and language focusing on core issues like unemployment inflation housing and essential amenitiesDeora closed by noting that the political landscape in Maharashtra had undergone significant changes since 2019 making the outcome of future elections uncertain However he expressed optimism about the Congresss prospects provided it connects with the people and addresses their local concerns Regarding potential seatsharing arrangements between the Congress and the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls Deora highlighted the cordial relationship between the two parties members of the opposition INDIA bloc He suggested that there is a keen interest on both sides to collaborate effectively emphasising the need for giveandtake in the negotiationsMaha Vikas Aghadi MVA leaders and workers are keen to work together There will be give and take someone will have to swallow pride But there is keenness and interest on both sides to work together said the Congress leaderWith PTI inputs