Nagpur: Nana Patole, Maharashtra Congress president, issued a friendly reminder to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday, urging him to prioritize unity within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to defeat the BJP-led Mahayuti in the upcoming elections. Patole's statement came in response to Raut's criticism regarding seat allocations for Shiv Sena (UBT), particularly in the Nagpur South constituency, which has been a point of contention within the alliance.
Patole acknowledged that the Congress faced similar disappointments in regions like Konkan but emphasized the importance of the MVA's greater mission of preventing Mahayuti's return to power. He expressed concerns that BJP policies could potentially alter Maharashtra's social landscape and reiterated the Congress's commitment to preserving the state's values, which are inspired by prominent figures such as Chhatrapati Shahu, Mahatma Phule, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Addressing speculation about former Congress minister Anees Ahmed possibly joining the VBA, Patole dismissed the rumours and commended Ahmed's loyalty to the party. He also criticized the BJP for alleged mismanagement of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue project in Malvan. Furthermore, Patole acknowledged the limited representation of the Dhangar and Wanjari communities but assured that the MVA would prioritize inclusivity and development for all communities if they come to power.
Patole confirmed that the Congress was intensifying its efforts to secure seats like Ramtek with the support of the MVA. He outlined plans to combat inflation and promote policies that would benefit Maharashtra's youth, women, and economically weaker sections. Additionally, Patole criticized the BJP's central leadership, accusing them of having an "anti-Maharashtra" stance by blocking crucial projects such as the recent Tata-Airbus plant and the Vedanta-Foxconn project, both of which were relocated to Gujarat. He argued that these decisions demonstrated the BJP's disregard for Maharashtra's economic interests.