Dialogue necessary to make INDIA bloc stronger: Uddhav Sena leader Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said dialogue was necessary to make the opposition INDIA bloc stronger and disagreed with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that the opposition alliance was forged only for contesting Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing presspersons in Mumbai, the Uddhav faction MP said, “The INDIA alliance should be strong. I don't believe what Omar Abdullah said, that the INDIA alliance was formed for the Lok Sabha election.”

Raut added, “This alliance was definitely formed for the Lok Sabha (election) and we fought well, however after that, no meeting of the INDIA alliance was held, which is unfortunate. This responsibility is of Congress as it is in the role of the elder brother in the alliance. In the coming days, if the INDIA alliance has to be saved or made stronger, then first of all dialogue is necessary,” ANI quoted the leader as saying.

On Sunday, Raut clarified that he never called for dissolution of the INDIA bloc and the party is contesting upcoming Maharashtra civic body polls solo to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.

Raut's comments come after several leaders of the opposition alliance expressed support for Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi Assembly polls. Recently, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed displeasure over the lack of clarity for the INDIA bloc. Speaking at an event, Abdullah said no meetings are being held to decide the future of the alliance. He said if the alliance was created only for the Lok Sabha elections, then it should be dissolved. “If the alliance intends to work together for assembly elections as well, its leaders must sit together and form a collective strategy,” he had said.