By Khabar Rojana 
As questions mount over the lack of unity among Opposition alliance partners at both national and state levels, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday acknowledged that there is “confusion” within the INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), but expressed hope that the alliance would stabilise with time.
Ahead of Maharashtra’s civic body elections scheduled for January 15, Thackeray said disagreements were natural in large coalitions.
“There is surely confusion. But slowly, this confusion will go away. Nothing happens overnight. Experience is the greatest teacher. The INDIA alliance will remain intact,” he said.
His remarks come amid shifting political equations in Maharashtra and recent electoral setbacks for the Opposition, which have triggered internal debates and calls for strategic review.
Asked whether Opposition partners could still come together despite recent turbulence, Thackeray said unity was possible if all parties were guided by a common principle.
“If everyone accepts ‘desh pratham’ (nation first), then all will come together,” he said.
He reiterated that both the INDIA bloc at the national level and the MVA in Maharashtra were passing through a phase of uncertainty but maintained that stability would return over time.
For the upcoming civic elections, alliance partners are adopting different strategies. The Congress has decided to contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies independently, without tying up with Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP).
Meanwhile, rival NCP factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have decided to join hands in select municipal corporations such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Commenting on the Enforcement Directorate’s raids on political consultancy firm I-PAC, which manages Trinamool Congress campaigns, Thackeray backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“What Mamata Ji did was right. There is misuse of the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation,” he said, alleging selective targeting by central agencies.
He added that leaders who align with the ruling party often receive “clean chits”, calling it a misuse of power that must be opposed.
Responding to questions about a possible reconciliation with the BJP — similar to his recent rapprochement with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray — Uddhav said ideological consistency was the key difference.
“Raj and I were never divided on Marathi identity, Hindutva, and Maharashtra. We reunited for a cause,” he said.
However, he accused the BJP of ideological inconsistency and political opportunism.
“We supported the BJP for Hindutva, but today I don’t understand their version of it. They ban cow slaughter in Maharashtra but not in Goa or the North-East. They fuel Hindu-Muslim divisions,” he said.
Making a sharp remark, Thackeray added:
“When BJP does something, it’s Amar Prem. When we do the same thing, it becomes Love Jihad.”
He further alleged that the BJP thrives on polarisation and political conflict rather than constructive governance.
Shalu Shalu