Will discuss possibility of national opposition alliance soon: Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut

NEW DELHI: The Shiv Sena on Sunday revived the possibility of an anti-BJP front after senior leader Sanjay Raut said that discussions regarding the formation of a national-level opposition alliance could begin soon.
Speaking to reporters, Raut said that he had discussed the issue with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and that Congress will be the soul of the proposed alliance.
Currently, the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.
"There is a need to have a strong alliance of opposition parties in the country. But there can't be an alliance without the Congress party. It will be the soul. Leadership can be decided through consultations," Raut told reporters.
"The Maha Vikas aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra was formed after three ideologically different parties (Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) came together and the leadership was unanimously given to Uddhav Thackeray. This is an ideal alliance, which is working fine," he said.
Talking about the West Bengal results, Raut said that it is not a good sign that Congress could not manage a single seat in the assembly.
"The Congress has done well in Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the recent Assembly elections. But it did not win a single seat in West Bengal and this is not good. The party needs to be strengthened further," he said.
He further that whether in power or in opposition, Congress continues to remain a pan-India party.
"I discussed these issues with NCP president Sharad Pawar, but since he is indisposed, he is in Mumbai. Talks of forming an alliance of opposition parties will start in a few days," the Sena's Rajya Sabha member added.
Raut's remarks come as the central government faces heat over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has crippled the nation over the last few weeks.
It also comes close on the heels of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee securing a decisive win against the BJP in the West Bengal elections.
Several opposition leaders had come together to pitch a possible third front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, the alliance could not come to fruition after the Narendra Modi-led BJP stormed to power with 300-plus seats in the lower house.
(With inputs from PTI)