Have Congress and Shinde's Shiv Sena come together?

Maharashtra's ongoing local body elections have produced an unusual political scenario. Surprising alignments are occurring on the ground as parties that unite at the state level are running independently in numerous constituencies.

In one case, members of one faction under the same broad coalition had their homes raided by employees of another faction. Even more remarkable were the portraits of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, who have historically been leaders of the Congress party, on the campaign posters of a Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) candidate.

The images originated from Dharashiv district, where candidates from the Shinde camp running for the Umarga Municipal Council election displayed the Congress hand symbol next to their own party symbol. They included Congress images in the campaign poster because their leaders said that Congress officials backed them when BJP members refused to give up seats.

Party spokespeople explained that authorization had been granted for local-level decisions even though there had been no direct discussion with top-level leadership when asked if joining forces with Congress was formally permitted.

Shiv Sena won the chairperson position with 14 seats, while Congress won 11, according to seat discussions. Leaders claimed that because their vision for development was different from that of the BJP and NCP, they would rather form an alliance with the Congress.

Although Shiv Sena benefited domestically from this new alliance, criticism has been leveled at Congress in particular. Given that the same Congress leaders are hesitant to accept some other parties into their coalition, claiming ideological conflict, a member from the rival Shiv Sena questioned what those who claim to defend ideological purity would now say.

This sparked more discussion since Maharashtra's politics were accused of conveniently changing in response to electoral demands rather than ideals. Opponents noted that although rebels once said they couldn't cooperate with Congress because of ideological disagreements, the same parties were now observed running joint grassroots campaigns.

Members of a different political party also expressed their opinions, saying that before forming partnerships, Congress should consider its past deeds. They said that Congress was collaborating with politicians who had previously backed people who were accused of offending religious feelings.

Leaders of the BJP also entered the discussion, claiming that the Congress's support for the Shinde-led Sena shows that the party has now embraced Sena philosophy. They gave Congress a mocking congratulations.

Congress clarified its stance as the reaction grew. In response, party representatives stated that the party would not formally align with that faction out of principle and that those who had joined forces with Shinde in Umarga had already been dismissed.

They said that the poster that was making the rounds online was created by an independent candidate who unlawfully incorporated images of leaders from both sides.

Congressmen stressed that the party's philosophy has always been inclusive and that it will never support organizations that seek to split society. Before challenging the party's course, they advised detractors, particularly those who had previously served in Congress, to keep in mind the party's core principles.