We will contest Lok Sabha elections under MVA banner in Maharashtra, says Congress
The HinduStarting the process of reviewing election-preparedness of all State units ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress on July 11 announced that it will contest the election in Maharashtra as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. In the wake of the NCP split, engineered by Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole dismissed speculation of a similar fate befalling the State Congress unit, remarking that these were rumours being spread by the BJP to divert public attention from real issues. Asked if the Congress would claim the Leader of the Opposition post in the Assembly as the party has emerged as the single largest Opposition party after the NCP split, Mr. Patole said a decision would be taken before the Assembly session gets under way on July 17. “He expressed satisfaction with the party’s performance in the State and asked us to prioritise nurturing leaders who have the potential to contribute positively, rather than investing time in those who may be a liability,” the leader said, summarising Mr. Gandhi’s talking points. “We have done the groundwork in all the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies and whenever we have alliance, our partners gain strength from our work,” Mr. Patole told reporters.