Shiv Sena not part of UPA, alliance only limited to Maharashtra: Cong leader Ashok Chavan

Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan said on Sunday that Congress’ tie-up
with Shiv Sena was limited to Maharashtra as the latter “was not part” of the
United Progressive Alliance (UPA), reported PTI.

The comment came a day after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut called for
expansion of the bloc.

State PWD Minister Chavan further noted that it was improper on part of the Sena to comment on the UPA-leadership.

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“Shiv Sena is yet to become a part of the UPA.
Our alliance with the Sena in Maharashtra is based on a Common Minimum
Programme (CMP) and limited to Maharashtra,” PTI quoted Chavan as saying.

In the current Maharashtra administration, the Shiv Sena is the head
of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government with the Congress and the Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) being the two other constituents.

The issue further draws in NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, as Raut pointed
out previously that Pawar enjoys support across sides, not unlike UPA
chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

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“Sharad Pawar himself has denied the
speculation that he will be the next chairperson of the UPA. UPA allies trust
the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. So there is no need to discuss the issue,”
Chavan was further quoted as saying regarding the issue.

Raut on Saturday stressed on the necessity for the
UPA to expand in order to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the
Centre, terming the latter to be ‘dictatorial’ and pushing out a rallying cry
for the opposition parties to band together.