The Maharashtra Congress on Monday held an agenda meeting to discuss its manifesto ahead of the assembly elections next month, and spoke about what should be the counter to the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme launched by the ruling Mahayuti government.
Amid a political storm over the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, the Congress further discussed the law and order situation in Maharashtra and resolved that the chief minister and his deputy must hand in their resignation.
Firm on its stand not to declare a chief ministerial face for the Maha Vikas Aghadi going into the elections, the Congress resolved that there is no difference of opinion in the opposition alliance and the chief minister will be decided after the poll results.
The opposition parties, including the Congress, have alleged “complete collapse” of law and order in the poll-bound state in wake of Siddique’s murder. The BJP and the NCP, the ruling parties in the state, asserted that those involved in the killing will not be spared and slammed the opposition for indulging in “petty politics” on the crime.
On Sunday (October 13), Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole stressed that projecting a chief ministerial face was not an immediate priority for the opposition bloc, a position at variance with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhhav Thackeray’s demand to declare a CM face. The NCP (SP), led by Sharad Pawar, however is in agreement with the grand old party about declaring the CM once the results are out.
What have the MVA allies said about declaring CM face?
A day before the agenda meeting of the Congress, the MVA held a joint press conference. There was much speculation that the opposition alliance may declare a seat-sharing formula for the elections.
At the presser, Nana Patole said the CM face will be declared after the poll results, a view shared by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhhav Thackeray said the polls will be a contest between the opposition alliance and the ruling Mahayuti.
“Let the Mahayuti announce its CM face, MVA will follow suit,” he said.
Pawar and Patole said Thackeray has articulated the MVA’s position on the issue. “We aim to defeat the government and not the projection of a CM face,” Patole said.
What has the Congress said on Baba Siddique’s killing?
On Sunday (October 13), the Congress demanded a thorough probe into Baba Siddique’s murder and said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, should take moral responsibility for law and order “failure” and resign. It said such killings show that the law-and-order situation in the state has failed, claiming that the government was trying to postpone the election dates through these incidents.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi said the state government must take responsibility and order a thorough and transparent investigation. “The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail,” Gandhi said on X.
“Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra Govt must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount,” Kharge posted on the social media platform.
(With PTI inputs)
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