The Maharashtra Congress has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what they call the "disrobing of democracy" in the state. The swearing-in of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister, along with eight of his colleagues as ministers in the Eknath Shinde government, has sparked outrage within the Congress ranks.
Congress President Nana Patole lashed out at the BJP, accusing them of power-hungry politics and forming an alliance with Ajit Pawar, whose party has faced corruption allegations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. Patole questioned the BJP's integrity, asking how Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis can now sit in power with an NCP faction they previously accused of corruption.
Patole expressed confidence in the Congress alliance and stated that the departure of the NCP faction will not have any impact on their power dynamics. He emphasized that the Congress, being the only credible party in the state, will regain power based on the trust of the voters.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan revealed that if Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar fails to disqualify Eknath Shinde and 15 MLAs by August 11, the Congress will approach the Supreme Court. Chavan described the current developments as a groundwork being laid for further action.
Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat expressed his disappointment with the situation, asserting that the people are closely observing these events and will voice their verdict against such manipulative maneuvers in the upcoming polls.
Nana Patole accused the BJP of resorting to the politics of sabotage by aligning with an NCP faction, as the BJP's public support continues to dwindle. He strongly criticized the BJP for their role in what he called the destruction of democracy and the Constitution in Maharashtra.
Patole highlighted the Congress's recent landslide victories in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, which have caused anxiety within the BJP. He further added that the Congress enjoys public support in Maharashtra, despite the BJP's attempt to create a rift in the NCP, a party that holds a clear majority in the state government.
The Maharashtra Congress leader also pointed out the irony of CM Shinde's alliance with Ajit Pawar, contrasting it with Shinde's previous accusations against Uddhav Thackeray for abandoning Hindutva by joining hands with the Congress and NCP.
Patole concluded by stating that Shinde must answer to the people for this sudden change in stance.
