Sanjay Raut urges Congress to unite against BJP in Mumbai civic polls

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday (October 23, 2025) called for Opposition parties to close ranks ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, stressing that the battle is not just electoral but about safeguarding Mumbai and democratic values. 

His remarks came after Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap declared that the party would contest the civic polls independently, ruling out any alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) or Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). 

Mr. Raut said that if discussions on a pre-poll alliance were needed, they would be held with the Congress’ national leadership, not state leaders. “This is about defeating the BJP and saving Mumbai,” he told reporters, warning of an “impending danger” to the city. 

Invoking the historic Samyukta Maharashtra movement, he reminded Congress leaders that parties once united to protect Mumbai’s identity. “Congress is a key partner in the INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). These alliances are collective efforts, not dependent on one party,” he said. 

The Rajya Sabha MP urged the Congress’ Marathi leadership to rethink its stance, adding that Marathi voters would welcome a united Opposition. “If some parties choose a different course for the BMC or local elections, that’s their prerogative. We will not make any statement that could jeopardize our alliance. Raj Thackeray leads an independent party, and our mission is clear, defeat the BJP and stop Mumbai from slipping into the clutches of the Adani group,” Mr. Raut said.  

He also took a swipe at Congress, claiming the INDIA bloc was formed to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister. “If we need to discuss alliances, we will speak to Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, K.C. Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala. So far, no talks have happened with them on this issue,” he clarified. 

He also referred to the ongoing seat-sharing tussle within the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, where Congress and the RJD are contesting against each other in several constituencies. Taking a swipe, Mr. Raut asked whether there was a leader like Raj or Uddhav Thackeray in that state to hold the alliance together. 

Currently, the MVA in Maharashtra comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP).