Internal friction within the opposition alliance has surfaced amid ongoing demonstrations in the national capital over election procedures and the SIR issue. While Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have spearheaded protests on Delhi streets over the past three days, a major regional partner has decided to stay away from a key diplomatic push. A joint opposition delegation is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu on Friday night, but Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction will not be part of the group.
Late Invitation And Conflicting Schedules Behind The Absence
Party insiders indicated that the sudden invitation sent at the eleventh hour caused dissatisfaction within the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp. In addition to the short notice, prior political engagements prevented party lawmakers from traveling to New Delhi. Uddhav Thackeray spent Friday presiding over an organizational meeting with members of parliament and regional department heads in Mumbai. Simultaneously, senior leader Sanjay Raut was away on a scheduled two-day visit to Pune, leaving the party unable to depute representatives to the national capital on short notice.
Ruling Alliance Criticizes Fissures Within The Opposition
Seizing on the absence of the Maharashtra ally, the ruling party launched a sharp offensive against the INDIA bloc. Maharashtra government minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar asserted that deep cracks exist within the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the broader national alliance. Shelar remarked that disgruntled and defeated politicians have banded together merely to oppose the Modi administration, predicting that their collective campaign will fall flat.
Widening Rift Among Regional Allies Under Scrutiny
Highlighting recurring friction among alliance partners, Ashish Shelar claimed that Congress leaders ridiculed Mamata Banerjee during her speeches, while the Samajwadi Party previously spoke of putting Congress in its place. He pointed out that Shiv Sena (UBT) has now similarly refused to march alongside the Congress leadership. This unfolding discord has triggered debate over whether the joint movement against SIR is losing internal cohesion, or if the Shiv Sena faction's absence was strictly due to scheduling logistics.
Ten-Member Team Seeks Resignation Of Chief Election Commissioner
Despite the absence of the Shiv Sena faction, a ten-member delegation from the opposition bloc will meet President Droupadi Murmu at 8 PM on Friday night. Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed the meeting schedule on Friday morning. The primary purpose of this audience is to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over electoral procedures. Key leaders confirmed for the ten-member delegation include Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
