MUMBAI: Buoyant by a massive Congress victory in Karnataka, the opposition MVA in Maharashtra has decided to give a tough fight to the BJP in the state. Sharad Pawar called a meeting of MVA partners — the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Congress and the NCP — at Pawar’s residence on Sunday and
discussed ways to defeat the BJP in the next year’s parliamentary polls.
Those who were present in the meeting included Uddhav Thackeray, Ajit Pawar, and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole. State NCP chief Jayant Patil said like in Karnataka, they will put up a strong fight against the BJP in Maharashtra. He said all three MVA allies will field strong candidates against the BJP.
“We will soon sit for a discussion on seat-sharing. Besides, the organizational structures of the MVA will also be strengthened. We want to give a strong alternative to the people of Maharashtra,” said Patil. He said they have decided to resume the MVA’s Vajramut rallies. “Due to the growing heat, the MVA’s Vajramut rally was suspended for an indefinite period. Very soon, we will hold a joint rally in Pune,” Patil said.
Earlier NCP chief Sharad Pawar said MVA alliance partners should sit together and hold talks on seat-sharing. “Seat-sharing is a major issue that has to be resolved amicably. If it is not resolved, then many issues can crop up in the MVA,” Pawar earlier said.
Sources said Pawar told MVA leaders in the meeting that the current political scenario is against the BJP. “The Congress victory in Karnataka is decisive. The message is loud and clear that the people no longer trust the BJP and its leadership. People are looking at good alternatives. Therefore, MVA should be ready to fight against the BJP and its resources. In Maharashtra as well, there is a huge undercurrent against the BJP and the Shinde government,” said a senior Congress leader.
He said Karnataka elections results have boosted the morale of the Congress cadre in Maharashtra and other parts of the country. “In comparison to 2029, today, we are in better positions in the state. The secular and socialist voters of Congress are coming back to Congress.