Ending week over speculations about Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)‘s entry into Opposition Alliance in Maharashtra, Congress‘s Ashok Chavan denied such reports. Chavan on Friday said there is no place for MNS in Maharastra Opposition Parties Alliance for Upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.
Chavan while talking to reporters said that ‘We have ideological differences with MNS, and any kind of electoral tie-up with it would be difficult’. He added this has been conveyed to NCP who wants MNS into an alliance in the state to take on BJP-Sena Alliance in upcoming Lok Sabha Polls 2019.
MNS is known for its strong anti-North Indian stand.
The meeting between NCP’s Ajit Pawar with MNS’s Chief Raj Thackeray had sparked a political Buzz of MNS might enter Anti-BJP Front in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar has earlier also advocated to take MNS into Alliance. However, it was claimed any decision will only be taken jointly.
READ: NCP’s Ajit Pawar meeting with Raj Thackeray sparks Political Speculations; MNS may enter Anti-BJP Front
Ashok Chavan also informed that Congress was awaiting a response from Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, whom the Congress and NCP have offered four Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra from total 48 Lok Sabha Seats.
Dalit Leader and AIMIM have joined hands and will hold a joint rally on Saturday (today) in Central Mumbai.
Speaking about taking Ambedkar into an alliance, Ashok Chavan said we don’t want to benefit BJP by keeping them aside. “We want Ambedkar to be part of our alliance so that the BJP does not benefit (from the division of votes),” Chavan said.
He criticized the city authorities for not allowing the Congress to hold a rally of party chief Rahul Gandhi at Shivaji Park while giving permission to others. “All city grounds should be made available to all the parties. It looks like the government is not interested in being fair to all,” he said.
READ: Sharad Pawar clarifies future role in Politics says ‘I will Contest Lok Sabha Polls 2019’
“We have organized Rahul Gandhi’s rally at the MMRDA ground and another rally in Dhule (in north Maharashtra) on March 1,” Chavan added.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi is slated to start the Poll Campaign in Maharastra from Dhule on March 1 in Dhule. NCP Boss Sharad Pawar and All India Congress Committee (AICC) State In-Charge Mallikarjun Kharge were seen joining Dias with other parties and their allies on February 20 in a joint rally held in Nanded. Another such joint rally is slated for Saturday in Beed.
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