NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday dismissed Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole‘s statement that Congress would lead a Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state, calling for collective discussions within the alliance.
“I will not accept this, and no one else will accept this. We will sit together and decide if Nana Patole has said this and whether he has the Congress high command’s backing. The Congress high command has said that if you (Patole) are becoming the chief minister, then Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi should announce it,” Raut said in Mumbai.
Patole stands firm on Congress leadership
Patole, earlier in the day, expressed confidence in Congress leading the MVA based on public sentiment and voting trends.
“The way voting trends are coming in and what people are saying, most Congress candidates will be elected in the state. There is no doubt the MVA government will be formed, and the Chief Minister will be from MVA,” Patole stated.
He also accused the BJP of electoral misconduct, alleging that BJP leaders distributed money and liquor in violation of the election code of conduct. “Wardha, a liquor-ban district, saw liquor bottles found in the warehouse of Devendra Fadnavis’s PA, who is contesting there. Is the BJP engaging in ‘note jihad’ by distributing liquor and money? BJP does not believe in the constitutional system,” he alleged.
Exit polls favor Mahayuti
Despite Patole’s optimism, most exit polls predict a win for the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, with the MVA expected to fall short of a majority. This election marks the first assembly poll since the splits in Shiv Sena and NCP.
The counting of votes is scheduled for November 23, and the results are likely to shape the future of Maharashtra’s political landscape.