As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, the Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala announced that Congress will unveil its final list of candidates today, putting an end to speculation and anticipation among party workers and supporters. This announcement comes on the heels of the party’s previous candidate list released on October 24, 2024.
Top leadership from the MVA convened at Congress headquarters in New Delhi. The meeting, which included prominent figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President), Rahul Gandhi (former Congress Chief), K. C. Venugopal (AICC General Secretary), Nana Patole (Maharashtra Congress Chief), and other leaders like Balasaheb Thorat were also present.
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The Congress party has been proactive in quashing rumors of dispute within the MVA coalition, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Senior Congress leaders emphasized that the alliance remains strong and united, despite speculation suggesting potential fractures.
While addressing the media after CEC meeting, Mr. Patole said, “Balasaheb Thorat will meet Uddhav Thackeray again tomorrow (October 26, 2024) regarding seat-sharing. I have also received a letter from NCP chief Sharad Pawar. After all the discussions on a few undecided seats, we will conduct an online CEC meeting tomorrow evening.”
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Rahul Gandhi expressed disappointment with State Congress’s role during seat sharing negotiations with alliance partners. “On the basis on merit, Congress should have received more seats, including Vidarbha, Western Maharashtra, and Marathwada. However, we explained him what went during the discussions and he is satisfied with it,” said Mr. Patole.
The first list of candidates included Nana Patole from Sakoli, Prithviraj Chavan from Karad South, Vijay Wadettiwar from Brahmapuri, Jyoti Eknath Gaikwad from Dharavi, Amit Deshmukh from Latur City and Dheeraj Deshmukh from Latur Rural, etc. It has retained 25 sitting MLAs in the first list.
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(Input from the Agencies)
