On Tuesday, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Udhhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar will join Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the congress is set to launch its Maharashtra assembly election campaign in Mumbai.
The rally coinciding with the birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, will also see the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC’’s Maharashtra in charge, Ramesh Chennithala.
Rally’s Schedule
The Congress has scheduled a meeting at 3 p.m. at the Shanmukanand Auditorium in Mumbai followed by a rally at Bandra Kurla Complex ( BKC). To commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress has organized several events in Mumbai, his birthplace.
Alliance Prepares, Seat Talks Delayed
Udhhav Thakarey and Sharad Pawar are likely to share the stage with Rahul Gandhi on stage in Mumbai as the alliance prepares for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly election.
The MVA is still contemplating its candidate for the position of chief minister in this election.
The Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT ) alliance have committed to contest the Maharashtra assembly elections together, though the discussion of seat sharing has yet to gain any significant traction.
Thackeray Pushes Early CM Announcement
During a meeting on Friday, MVA allies discussed Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thakarey’demand for the alliance to announce its chief ministerial face ahead of time. Thackeray insisted that the CM candidate should be chosen before the election results for each in the alliance are known.
AIMIM Seeks MVA Alliance
Former MP Imtiaz Jaleel from AIMIM stated that the party is interested in allying with the opposition’s Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, as reported by PTI. However, AIMIM was not the part of INDIA alliance in the 2024 general elections.
He stated that the BJP has caused significant damage to the country and the party to determined to prevent them from returning to power by any means necessary, When asked about concerns over the Hindutava views of MVA ally Shiv Sena (UBT), Jaleel responded during an interview with ABP Manjha following a party meeting in Mumbai.
He also reiterated the party’s previous proposal to the MVA for an alliance to defeat the BJP, noting that the decision to ally rests upon the MVA
AIMIM Slams Ladki Bahin Scheme
The AIMIM leader criticizes the ruling party’s Ladki Bahin scheme describing it as merely a tactic to gain votes for an alliance in the upcoming elections.
He pointed out that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has only recently acknowledged that many women in the state, and now, after offering the financial aid, those in power are overtly seeking to vote for Mahayuti. He argued that this action reflects a lack of genuine concern for women and is simply a political maneuver.
Maharashtra Election Dates Postponed
On August 16, Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar announced the dates for the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections but did not include Maharashtra and Jharkhand in the announcement,
The election commission of India explained that Maharahtra’s elections were scheduled for October – November have been delayed due to the monsoon season.
Kumar noted that previously, Maharashtra and Haryana elections were held together, but at that time Jammu and Kashmir were not involved, Additionally, he mentioned that heavy rainfall and the upcoming festive season contributed to the delay.
