Congress is on the back foot due to the displeasure of the Uddhav group regarding the filing of nomination in Maharashtra’s Dangal. Congress has said that even though party candidates have filed nominations on some seats, the elections will be contested only by those people to whom the party gives the green signal.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala and Congress President Nana Patole said that candidates on some seats will withdraw their nominations.
Talking to journalists, Chennithala said that there is not going to be any friendly fight in Mahavikas Aghadi. We are going to fight the elections unitedly. Only those to whom we have given AB form will be able to fight. Those seats for which the form has not been submitted will have to withdraw their names.
Uddhav group has expressed displeasure
Uddhav faction of Shiv Sena has expressed displeasure. Party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that Congress has also given candidates on those seats on which we are fighting. Raut said that the Sangli model of Lok Sabha is being repeated in the assembly elections. Actually, during the Lok Sabha elections, Sangli seat was won by Shiv Sena (UBT).
Despite this, Congress rebel Vishal Patil entered the fray from here. Because of Patil, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate slipped to third position. After the elections, Vishal Patil joined Congress.
The Uddhav faction says that a meeting will be held soon and it will be asked to withdraw candidates from those seats where parties have fielded candidates breaking the alliance principle.
Both fielded candidates on these seats
Uddhav and Shiv Sena (UBT) have fielded candidates together on about a dozen seats. Among the seats where candidates have been fielded, Bandra-East, Nashik Central and Ramtek seats are prominent.
In Vidarbha’s Ramtek seat, Chandrapal Choksey has contested on the Congress symbol and Vishal Barbate has contested on the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol. Similarly, both Uddhav’s army and Congress have fielded candidates for Nashik Central seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) has handed over the symbol to Basantrao Geete here. Ghulam Ghaus has contested on Congress ticket.
Both Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have also fielded candidates on Bandra East seat. Congress has given the symbol to Arjun Singh from here, while Varun Sardesai is in the fray from Shiv Sena (UBT).
Congress and Shivsena have also fielded candidates on those 3 seats where its ally SP is contesting. These include the seats of Bhiwandi West, Dhule city.
Congress will start campaign from Nagpur
Congress will start its Maharashtra campaign from Nagpur. On November 6, the party has organized a Save Constitution Rally in Nagpur. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge will participate in this rally. After this rally, a joint rally is also proposed in Mumbai at 6 pm.
According to Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, a big meeting of MVA will be held in BKC on November 6, in which Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar along with big Congress leaders will attend.
