'Mahayuti is finished now': Congress targets BJP, accuses party of trying to 'eliminate' its allies

NEW DELHI: The Congress in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday slammed the Mahayuti alliance comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ), Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) ahead of upcoming assembly elections in state. He accused the coalition, which Maharashtra Congress has dubbed "Bhrashtyuti," of sidelining its partners and falling short on key governance issues.

Addressing a press conference, Chennithala pointed out Congress’s dedication to treating its allies equally within the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition. He said, "Unlike the Mahayuti, where BJP has appropriated NCP and Shiv Sena-Shinde seats, MVA remains united with all parties receiving equal representation."

"Nominations have been filed on all 288 seats by Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates. When you compare MVA with Mahayuti, there is no tussle within our group. Mahayuti is finished now. We have given equal treatment to all parties in MVA. In Mahayuti, BJP has stolen all seats of NCP and Shiv Sena-Shinde," he said.

One "tussle" refers to the BJP's objection to Nawab Malik's candidacy from the Ajit Pawar's NCP for Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya labelled Malik as a "terrorist" saying, "Nawab Malik is a terrorist who tried to break India into pieces. He is Dawood's agent and Ajit Pawar's NCP has betrayed the country by giving ticket to Nawab Malik. On behalf of Mahayuti, Eknath Shinde 's candidate Suresh Krishna Patil (Bullet Patil) of the Bharatiya Janata Party started campaigning yesterday."

Chennithala also targeted the saffron party for allegedly trying to "eliminate" its allies. He mentioned Congress had officially approved only its nominees and urged independent candidates to withdraw.

He also addressed the state government’s suspended -Ladli Behen Yojana-, blaming it on financial issues. "The Maharashtra government deceived women voters. They promised financial aid through the -Ladli Behen Yojana-, yet they’ve suspended it through the Election Commission due to an empty treasury," he said.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set for November 20, with vote counting on November 23.