State will have Cong CM in ’24: Patole

Patole and Bhai Jagtap have been making a case for the Congress fighting BMC elections solo. However, there are only a few takers.

After the Congress party’s rout in five assembly elections, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole on Monday predicted that they will emerge as the single largest party in 2024 assembly elections in Maharashtra, with their own Chief Minister. Incidentally, the Congress with 42 legislators is a junior partner in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, with the other allies (the Shiv Sena and NCP).

Patole’s statement has sparked a political debate, especially when the MVA and the BJP are trading charges over corruption. Patole has been an ardent advocate of the Congress going solo in the upcoming elections.

Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat, who is also the revenue minister, recently returned from Delhi after his meeting with the party high command about party’s candidate for the assembly Speaker’s elections and also about the present state of the Congress organisation in Maharashtra.

Even though Patole and Mumbai unit chief Bhai Jagtap have been making a strong case for the Congress fighting the upcoming BMC elections independently, there are a few takers as most of the legislators and district leaders are insisting that it won’t be possible without strengthening the party organisation in all districts.

Meanwhile, Patole has alleged that the BJP is playing the politics of blackmailing by abusing the power at the Centre.