Don’t stake claim on seats before formal talks, Deora warns Sena UBT

In a video statement in Marathi, Deora slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) without naming it for staking claim on Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency without the completion of formal discussions on seat-sharing.

Sounding a caution to party workers, Deora said the election will not be a cakewalk for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). (Photo: X/@milinddeora)

Congress leader and former MP Milind Deora on Sunday targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray, saying if the ally continues to stake claim on the Lok Sabha constituencies without completing formal seat-sharing arrangements, the Congress, too, will have to declare the name of its candidates.

In a video statement in Marathi, Deora slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) without naming it for staking claim on Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency without the completion of formal discussions on seat-sharing. “The Deora family has served the people of South Mumbai for over 50 years, irrespective of being in power or not. We did not win this seat because of any wave,” said Deora in his statement.

Sounding a caution to party workers, he said the election will not be a cakewalk for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). “I request the allies to not make any statements on any seat without formal completion of seat-sharing talks. Even we in Congress can make such announcements and declare candidates on Lok Sabha seats. I hope the message has reached the right people in Delhi and Mumbai,” he said.

Also Read | Eknath Shinde targets Uddhav Thackeray with work-from-home taunt again, says Mahayuti aims to win 45 Lok Sabha seats

Deora’s statement is seen as a reply to MLA Aaditya Thackeray’s rally on Saturday in South Mumbai where he sounded the poll bugle. Sena’s Arvind Sawant is a Lok Sabha MP from this seat and has won this seat twice — in 2014 and 2019.

“I have been getting calls and messages from my voters and workers who are asking me about the claims made by the ally party. Last week, the spokesperson of our ally advised us to start from zero. After the unnecessary controversy, a new claim was made on the Mumbai South seat… The seat belongs to Congress by tradition,” he said.

Commenting on seat-sharing talks within the MVA, opposition Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut had said two weeks ago that the Congress will have to start from zero.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram