Maharashtra Congress reiterates plan to go solo in local, assembly polls

The Maharashtra Congress on Sunday reiterated that it will go solo for the local body and assembly polls and that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance would not be a constant in its future plans. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the party has already begun preparations to contest the local body polls on its own and not be part of any alliance.

Patole’s remarks are significant as it comes a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said: “If you keep talking about going alone during elections when people are hungry, then people would beat you with their footwear. People are not concerned with you developing strength to fight elections. First, you need to look after the people, their jobs.” The comments made by Uddhav on Saturday seemed to be a direct attack at the Congress although he did not name the party.

The Congress however maintained that the alliance was just for five years and was meant to stop the BJP government from coming to power.“We have formed the MVA alliance (in 2019) for five years (only) to stop the BJP (government from coming to power). This is not a permanent thing. Each party has a right to strengthen and spread its organisation,” Patole said.


While there is considerable disquiet and anger within the party leadership over Uddhav’s comments, Patole and other leaders have refrained from aggravating the matter.

Patole said on Sunday, “He has not named any specific party. A few days back, the BJP had also said that they would be contesting alone. So, the remark could have been aimed at them too.”