Shiv Sena rules out joining Congress-led alliance

We have already decided to go solo in the coming elections, says Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (left) MP Sanjay Raut. (File Photo)

Senior Shiv Sena leaders have ruled out the possibility of the party walking into the Congress-led alliance. The leaders were reacting to a statement by former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan that the Congress might consider including Sena in its fold if the party withdraws support to the Fadnavis government.

“There is no question of joining the Congress-led alliance at the national level. At our national executive meeting, we have already decided to go solo in the coming elections and therefore is no question of joining any alliance,” Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told The Indian Express on Wednesday.

Raut said the Congress in Maharashtra was on a weak footing. “It is at the third spot. The Sena was at the second spot but would finish top in the coming elections. We will fight on our own and will display our might on the election terrain,” he said. Raut said it was Shiv Sena which had first given the call of a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’. “We have been fighting against the Congress over the years and will continue to do so,” he said.

Another senior Sena leader Anil Desai also dismissed the possibility of his party joining hands with the Congress. “Our party chief has already declared that we would not tie up with any party and would contest the coming elections on our own,” said Desai. “As for the alliance decision, it is Uddhavji who takes the decision in such matters. And he has already declared that the party will go solo,” he said.

Asked about the new-found softness of the Sena towards the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi, Desai said, “The Sena has also praised the good work done by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.” The Sena mouthpiece, Saamana, before and after the Gujarat elections, had been effusive in its praise of Rahul Gandhi for turning around the fortunes of the Congress in Gujarat.

Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday said in Aurangabad that the Sena will have to get in touch with Congress leadership if it intended to join the Congress-led alliance. He, however, said the BJP will not allow Sena to part ways with the NDA.

“On it is part, the Sena will not withdraw support to the Fadnavis government and on the other hand, Narendra Modi will do everything possible to keep the Sena within its fold,” he said. Echoing this view, MPCC chief Ashok Chavan said, “The BJP will keep the Sena and the Sena will not dump the alliance.”

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The former chief minister of the Congress had already suggested that Sena, whose relations with BJP have gone sour, be roped in to join the Congress-led alliance. The former CM suggested that the Congress and NCP should support Sena in its strongholds in return for support for them in Sena bastions.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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