Overview

• State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said no formal request has come from the MNS and indicated the INDIA bloc would take the final call.
• Sanjay Raut has written to the Congress leadership urging inclusion of Raj Thackeray’s party, escalating pressure within the opposition camp.
• Raj Thackeray joined Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and others in meetings with Maharashtra election officials over alleged voter roll irregularities, renewing alliance speculation.
• A section of Congress leaders opposes bringing in the MNS, citing risks to North Indian and Muslim support in key municipal contests.
• The MNS remains outside the MVA, even as past talks between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray and supportive comments from NCP leader Supriya Sule keep the option in play.