Setback in Haryana won’t affect Congress in Maharashtra; party to contest 110-115 seats: Nana Patole

Congress in Maharashtra remains strong despite Haryana setback, focusing on winnability and unity within MVA alliance for upcoming polls.

The electoral setback for the Congress in Haryana will have ‘zero’ impact on its prospects in Maharashtra, which heads to the polls in mid-November, according to State Congress president Nana Patole.

The political dynamics in the two States are fundamentally different and the Congress (in Maharashtra) has a strong counter-narrative that resonates with the voters beyond simple Opposition to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In an exclusive interview with The Hindu on Wednesday (October 9, 2024), Mr. Patole confirmed that the Congress, as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), will contest 110 to 115 seats. The alliance’s key partners – Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) of Sharad Pawar – will each contest 80 to 85 seats, with smaller parties taking remaining constituencies.

He also stated that seat-sharing discussions for all 288 constituencies would be finalised by Wednesday, with the Congress claiming the largest share of seats, and candidacies determined solely on merit and electoral viability. “There are no disagreements or fictions over seat-sharing as the single factor which is calculated being considered in winnability, and later we will distribute the tickets purely based on merit,” he said.

What transpired in Haryana is indeed shocking, Mr. Patole said, “but it is incorrect to assume that it will influence the Maharashtra polls. Maharashtra’s political ethos is shaped by the ideals of Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, in stark contrast to the BJP’s politics of polarisation and financial influence. The issues at stake in our State are entirely different.”

Haryana Assembly elections: Congress says results ‘not acceptable’, raises serious questions about integrity of democratic process

Mr. Patole further stressed that the Congress cadre remains undeterred by the Haryana results. “The Maha Vikas Aghadi will defeat the corrupt MahaYuti government and restore Maharashtra’s dignity. These elections are not ordinary; the people are ready to teach a lesson to the BJP for its treachery and backstabbing politics. They are demanding change and are eager to bring in a new government,” he said, adding that the party will release its manifesto soon.