Maharashtra Congress president Harashwardhan Sapkal told media persons on Thursday that talks have begun with the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena to form an alliance for the forthcoming municipal corporation elections, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
“Discussions are underway with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the INDIA bloc. Local Congress leaders have been instructed accordingly. Apart from this, no proposal has been received from any party for an alliance. If such a proposal is received, it will be considered,” Sapkal said.
Responding to a question, Sapkal said, “I am not a part of the alliance discussions for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), but All India Congress Committee Secretary U B Venkatesh is holding talks with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.” The Maharashtra Congress president was speaking at a state selection committee meeting held at Tilak Bhavan in Dadar West on Thursday to discuss the names of candidates for the municipal corporation elections.
Sapkal further said, “Today, a State Selection Board meeting was held for 28 municipal corporations. An important stage has been passed at the party level today by keeping in mind the recommendations of various District Congress Committees. Ticket distribution has also been discussed, keeping in mind the requirements of social engineering.”
“The Congress party had left the decision to form any alliance to its local leadership. Many people want an alliance between the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and the Congress. In this regard, good communication and sincere efforts are being made by the leaders of both sides,” Sapkal said.
The state selection committee meeting of the Congress party at Tilak Bhavan was attended by Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Congress Legislature Party group leader Satej alias Bunty Patil, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Congress Working Committee member Sushil Kumar Shinde, former minister Chandrakant Handore, former minister Naseem Khan, Goa in-charge Manikrao Thackeray, All India Congress Committee secretary Kunal Chaudhary, BM Sandeep, former minister Yashomati Thakur, Congress Legislature Party deputy leader A Amin Patel, Mahila Congress president Sandhyatai Savwalakhe, Youth Congress state president Shivraj More, Seva Dal state president Vilas Autade, National Students Union of India (NSUI) president Sagar Salunkhe, State Congress Vice President for Organisation and Administration, Advocate Ganesh Patil and senior spokesperson Atul Londhe.