Alva asks Congmen to bury differences

MUMBAI: Elections and factionalism in the Congress resurfaces. AICC general secretary Margaret Alva confirmed this when she asked all factions in the Mumbai Congress to “bury their differences” and stand united to fight the BMC polls.

Ironically, factionalism marked the very first meeting — after elections were announced — of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee addressed by Ms Alva on Wednesday evening. Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is not on good terms with the AICC general secretary, skipped the meeting.

Ms Alva was in the city to oversee preparations for the Sonia Gandhi rally at Shivaji Park on Saturday. Addressing party functionaries, she asked different factions to work together for the polls.

The appeal assumes significance in the context of intense infighting plaguing the Congress. Ever since Narayan Rane quit the Shiv Sena and joined the Congress, he has emerged as the most credible threat to Mr Deshmukh.

A string of victories in assembly by-polls for the Congress candidates has only consolidated Mr Rane’s position in the party. The revenue minister enjoys a good equation with MPCC chief Prabha Rau who has always been at war with Mr Deshmukh.

A victory for the Congress in the BMC polls could turn out to be a ticket to the state’s top job for Mr Rane, a possibility Mr Deshmukh is wary of.