Overview
- Shiv Sena (UBT) used its Saamana editorial to urge the opposition coalition to decide on a national face, naming Mamata Banerjee, M.K. Stalin, or another leader as options.
- The piece flags "friendly fire" in upcoming elections, citing TMC versus Congress in West Bengal, the Left as a rival in Kerala, and Maharashtra splits historically benefiting the BJP.
- It argues the leadership question has intensified since the Lok Sabha polls, with senior Congress voices and outside commentators backing different figures for the top role.
- The editorial acknowledges Rahul Gandhi’s persistent offensive but says prolonged time out of power has blunted urgency among grassroots workers.
- It contends the Modi-led government, though reliant on allies for a majority, retains perceived dominance and has harnessed religious sentiment, even invoking deference to President Trump as seen by some as a divine blessing.