Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Congress Strategizes Manifesto Amid Rising Political Tensions

With the Maharashtra Assembly elections approaching this year, all political parties are on high alert. On Saturday, Congress held an important meeting to discuss its manifesto. This two-hour discussion involved leaders brainstorming vital issues, and former Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan shared insights on the party’s strategic direction for the manifesto. He also raised questions regarding the recent damage to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Manifesto Strategy and Consultations

In the meeting regarding the Congress manifesto, Chavan stated that the party will draft its manifesto in the coming days. After this initial phase, discussions will take place with leaders from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction and Sharad Pawar’s group to finalize the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) manifesto. The next meetings of the manifesto committee are planned to be held in Pune and then in Nagpur, indicating a structured approach to cohesive party policy formulation.

Political Reactions to the Prime Minister’s Visit

The political atmosphere in Maharashtra intensified following Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit, where he publicly apologized for the damage to the statue of Shivaji. Chavan noted that the Prime Minister’s apology has catalyzed significant political activity, with the opposition seizing this moment to critique the ruling government. Congress has announced protests in response, indicating their commitment to hold the government accountable while expressing outrage over the incident.

Announcing the ‘Shoe-Throwing’ Protest

Chavan mentioned that although the police have yet to grant permission for a shoe-throwing protest scheduled for Sunday, Congress remains undeterred. He highlighted that the strategy for this protest will be determined collectively by the primary leaders of all factions. Notably, leaders from the MVA alliance have organized a shoe-throwing protest against the government’s actions, scheduled for September 1 in Malvan, Sindhudurg.

Accountability Over Apologies

Emphasizing the insufficiency of mere apologies, Chavan remarked that the Mumbai chapter of Congress recently protested against the Prime Minister, demanding accountability rather than just an apology. He stressed that while apologies are a step in the right direction, they do not resolve underlying problems unless accountability is established. He also called for a thorough investigation into the discrepancies linked to the statue and alleged corruption associated with it, asserting that significant wrongdoing occurred that requires serious scrutiny.

Dismissal of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as an Election Issue

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s remarks regarding Veer Savarkar, Chavan stated that focusing on Savarkar diverts attention from pressing issues at hand. He reiterated that the fight in Maharashtra represents a fundamental ideological battle which transcends the politics of personalities. As the election date approaches, he stressed that Congress remains dedicated to presenting clear, substantive issues before the electorate to counteract any distracting narratives from the ruling government.

Criticism of Devendra Fadnavis’s Leadership

Chavan didn’t hold back while criticizing former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asserting that since Fadnavis took office in 2014, Maharashtra has faced significant setbacks. He highlighted that law and order, as well as unemployment, are major issues impacting the public. The state’s financial situation has worsened drastically, raising serious concerns for the electorate as they prepare for the upcoming elections.