Prakash Ambedkar Alleges Shiv Sena (UBT) Broke MVA for Aaditya Thackeray’s Personal Gains

Mumbai: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday alleged that the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction decided to break away from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance to serve the personal interests of Aaditya Thackeray. Ambedkar’s statement comes amidst growing speculation about the future of the MVA, with signals of discontent among its member parties.

Responding to queries about the alliance’s potential breakup, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Whether they fight together, separately, or break apart is not our focus. Our focus is on working towards the progress of Maharashtra. In all upcoming elections, the blessings of the people will be with us.”

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s decision to break the MVA has been taken in the personal interest of Aditya Thackeray.

शिवसेनेने (ठाकरे गट) महाविकास आघाडी तोडण्याचा घेतलेला निर्णय, हा आदित्य ठाकरे यांच्या वैयक्तिक फायद्यासाठी घेण्यात आला आहे.

— Prakash Ambedkar (@Prksh_Ambedkar) January 11, 2025

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, speaking to the media, confirmed that his party would contest the upcoming local body elections independently. He clarified that while alliances like the INDIA bloc and MVA were meant for Lok Sabha and assembly elections, local elections required a different strategy.

“In an alliance, individual party workers do not get opportunities, and this hampers organizational growth. Hence, we will contest elections to Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, and other municipal corporations, zilla parishads, and panchayats on our own strength,” Raut stated.

Raut also accused Congress leaders like Vijay Wadettiwar of creating rifts within the alliance and said those unwilling to adopt a spirit of compromise have no place in coalitions. He further criticized the INDIA bloc for its lack of coordination, claiming that no meetings were held after the Lok Sabha elections.

These developments indicate mounting challenges for the MVA as it faces internal disagreements ahead of key municipal and state elections.