Maharashtra Congree opposes pact with UBT Sena over MNS outreach

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress has conveyed to the party leadership that it does not favour an alliance with the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) Sena for the upcoming local body elections - not just in Mumbai but across the state - arguing that the partnership has become counterproductive. The party is concerned that UBT Sena's outreach to Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) could alienate its north Indian and Muslim voter base, not only in Maharashtra but also in Bihar.

UBT Sena's move to explore an alliance with MNS has triggered alarm in Congress circles as the Raj Thackeray-led party has a history of targeting north Indian migrants and making inflammatory remarks against the Muslim community. MNS was also behind the recent agitation demanding the removal of mosque loudspeakers, citing noise pollution.

"We have told the leadership we want to contest the local body polls on our own. Aligning with UBT, which is seeking a tie-up with MNS, would anger our north Indian and Muslim voters. There is significant resentment among both communities towards MNS," a state Congress leader said.

Congress leaders pointed to recent incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people in Mumbai and surrounding areas, allegedly instigated by MNS supporters. They also admitted that relations between Congress and UBT Sena have cooled since the Lok Sabha polls.