Maharashtra Congress discusses alliance with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi

Pic/Maharashtra Congress

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections draw near, the Congress party is gearing up for the political battle and preparations for party consolidation have commenced from the grassroots level.

Ramesh Chennithala, the in-charge of the Western Maharashtra division of the Pradesh Congress, addressed the media during a meeting in Pune, which was presided over by state president Nana Patole. Also present were key political figures, including Balasaheb Thorat, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar, former minister and state working president Naseem Khan, and others.

Chennithala emphasized the Congress's aspiration to ally with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and discussed ongoing talks with Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. He mentioned that efforts are being made to unite all sections of society, and decisions regarding seat allocation will be announced soon.

Responding to questions from the media, Chennithala pointed out that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) uses religious names for political gains, a strategy that the Congress does not endorse. He highlighted the importance of preserving India's rich traditions and criticized the BJP for exploiting religious sentiments for political advantages.

Chennithala also discussed the recent controversial statements made by some BJP leaders, indicating that the Congress is committed to countering divisive tactics. He emphasized the need for unity and inclusivity, citing examples of successful collaborations with leaders like Prakash Ambedkar of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.

Chennithala said the Congress is actively working towards consolidating its position for the upcoming elections, with discussions ongoing with potential allies and a commitment to contest with unity against the BJP. The seat-sharing decision is expected to be announced soon.

The president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Nana Patole has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Assam government for preventing Rahul Gandhi from visiting a temple, calling it an act of arrogance and pride. He said that the people's overwhelming support for the Bharat Jodo Yatra has made the BJP nervous, leading them to resort to disrupting the journey.

Patole accused the BJP of selectively using religious names for political gain. He argued that the BJP's control of power has led to the blocking of Rahul Gandhi's temple visit, reflecting an arrogance of power. Patole emphasized the significance of non-violence and truth in the Congress party's approach and condemned the BJP's exploitation of religious sentiments for political purposes.