In Maharashtra, the upcoming assembly elections are creating a buzz as the Congress party expresses confidence in the Maha Vikas Aghadi's ability to unseat the ruling Mahayuti coalition.
Ramesh Chennithala, the All India Congress Committee in-charge for Maharashtra, shared his thoughts on Wednesday, suggesting that the elections are facing delays but asserting that the opposition alliance is well-prepared to take on their rivals.
Chennithala emphasised the smooth progress of seat-sharing negotiations among the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners. This coalition consists of the Congress party, the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray, and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Despite potential challenges, he assured that there are no significant differences among the alliance members, which bodes well for their collective efforts in the elections.
As the state prepares for polls to its 288-member assembly, Chennithala remains optimistic about the MVA's chances. He confidently stated, “We will defeat the Mahayuti, which is composed of the Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.
The question at hand is not whether we can win but rather when the elections will take place.” His remarks came after he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 155th birth anniversary at Mani Bhavan in Mumbai.
However, the timeline for the elections seems uncertain. Chennithala pointed out that the state cabinet has been particularly active, making around 40 decisions daily.
This flurry of activity raises questions about the implementation of these decisions and the implications for the upcoming elections. He expressed concern that the frequent decisions might be a tactic to navigate the political landscape as the election date looms.
State Congress chief Nana Patole echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the detailed discussions required for finalising the seat-sharing arrangement were causing delays. He emphasised the necessity of thorough deliberations to ensure a united front against the ruling coalition.
The MVA is determined to challenge the Mahayuti government, which they label as “corrupt.” The Congress party, along with its allies, is poised to highlight various issues affecting the people of Maharashtra and to advocate for change. Their strategy revolves around addressing public grievances and promoting their vision for a better state.