Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Shiv Sena (UBT) Misses INDIA Bloc Meeting With President
Shiv Sena (UBT) said it could not attend a meeting between opposition leaders and President Droupadi Murmu.
Its representatives had other commitments in Maharashtra connected to upcoming elections for the state legislative council.
The party told Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge that it still fully supports the INDIA bloc.
It also expressed support for the campaign led by Rahul Gandhi.
The opposition leaders planned to discuss their demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They say there were irregularities in a review of electoral rolls.
The meeting with Murmu was scheduled for 8 p.m.
Friday at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Other opposition leaders were expected to attend.
Shiv Sena (UBT) told Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge that its representatives would miss the INDIA bloc leaders’ meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
The party cited prior commitments in Maharashtra related to upcoming MLC elections.
In a letter, Sanjay Raut and Arvind Sawant expressed the party’s full support for the INDIA bloc under Kharge and the campaign led by Rahul Gandhi.
The leaders said the bloc was seeking to expose and remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision.
The opposition delegation was scheduled to meet Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 8 p.m. Friday.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) representatives Sanjay Raut and Arvind Sawant said they would be absent; INDIA bloc leaders were scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
- What
- Shiv Sena (UBT) said it would miss the meeting while affirming its support for the INDIA bloc.
- When
- Friday at 8 p.m.
- Where
- Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi; Shiv Sena (UBT) cited prior commitments in Maharashtra.
- Why
- The party cited prior engagements connected with upcoming MLC elections in Maharashtra. The INDIA bloc meeting concerned its demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
- Meeting
- INDIA bloc leaders were scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
- Scheduled time
- Friday at 8 p.m.
- Location
- Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
- Absent party
- Shiv Sena (UBT).
- Reason given
- Prior engagements in Maharashtra related to upcoming MLC elections.
- Stated support
- Shiv Sena (UBT) expressed full support for the INDIA bloc under Mallikarjun Kharge and the campaign led by Rahul Gandhi.
- Issue raised
- The bloc sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.