Close on the heels of developments in Karnataka, the Congress in Maharashtra too has made the first moves to unite like-minded opposition parties in the state to take on the BJP.
Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan on Saturday presided over a meeting of senior party leaders. "We discussed the prospects of unity among all like-minded parties in Maharashtra to fight with the BJP. Congress leaders here favour an alliance with parties like NCP, CPI(M), SP, BSP and RPI. Our leaders felt that if all of us come together ahead of the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections, the BJP can be easily defeated," Chavan said.
Chavan further informed that he will brief Congress president Rahul Gandhi about the discussions in Saturday's meeting." Rahulji is coming to Mumbai to attend a programme organised by the Mumbai Congress committee on June 12. We will meet him that day and convey the views and sentiments expressed by the party's Maharashtra unit leaders in today's meeting," stated Chavan.
Gandhi is going to Mumbai in connection with a defamation case filed in a Bhiwandi court by RSS activist Rajesh Kunte.
Chavan told journalists that he had made an attempt to bring CPI(M) together with Congress before the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll. "We had spoken to Sitaram Yechury about unity in the Palghar bypoll, but unfortunately our talks remained inconclusive." Congress candidate Damu Shingda was pushed to fifth position in the bypoll held on May 28. On the other hand, the CPI(M) candidate got fourth position in the bypoll, which saw BJP candidate Rajendra Gavit emerge as the winner.
"We have now given a call for unity of all like-minded opposition parties. The parties should come forward and respond now. Then, discussions can take place at national level before making any final decision," said Chavan.
He also stressed that Shiv Sena and MNS will have no place in this 'united' opposition as Congress is ideologically opposed to both the Sena and MNS.