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Raut meets Rahul, says no opposition front possible without Congress

There is no need for a third front, says the Shiv Sena leader

Sanjay Raut and Rahul Gandhi | PTI Sanjay Raut and Rahul Gandhi | PTI

Amidst the churn in the anti-BJP space, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday evening, after which he said no opposition front is possible without the Congress.

Raut's meeting with Rahul and his statement thereafter emphasising the importance of the Congress in forging opposition unity assumes significance in the backdrop of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's attempts to emerge as the main challenger to Modi and the BJP.

Mamata had met Raut during her recent visit to Mumbai which was seen as her outreach to other parties and leaders opposed to the BJP. She has made critical remarks about the Congress and its leadership with regard to offering a strong counter to the BJP and also bringing opposition parties together on a common platform.

After his much anticipated meeting with Rahul, Raut said no opposition front is possible without the Congress. He also said there is no need for a third front and that many parties are with the Congress.

"What is the need to have three fronts? This way we will not be able to provide the people with a viable alternative to the BJP," he said.

Shiv Sena, which is an ally of the Congress in the coalition government in Maharashtra along with the Nationalist Congress Party, is rumoured to be keen on officially being known as a member of the United Progressive Alliance. This is significant since Mamata had recently rejected the idea that the UPA exists.

To a question on whether the Shiv Sena will join the UPA, Raut did not dismiss the idea outright and said he will discuss the issue first with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

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