Congress receives over 1,800 applications for Maharashtra Assembly polls
With polling dates yet to be declared, Congress in Maharashtra faces an uphill task as the party received over 1,830 applications for tickets ahead of the Assembly polls.
by Rahul Gautam · India TodayIn Short
- Most applicants are from Vidarbha and Marathwada regions
- Former CM Prithviraj Chavan credits Lok Sabha success for response
- Vidarbha, Marathwada show strong support from Dalits, Muslims, Marathas
More than 1,830 applications seeking tickets for the state Assembly polls were received by the Congress unit in Maharashtra. Most of the applicants were from the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of the state.
The polling dates are yet to be announced for Maharashtra. However, the party is likely to contest from around 100 to 110 seats out of 288.
While Haryana is all set for voting on October 5, the Congress party received over 2,500 applications for just 90 seats.
In Maharashtra, applicants pay a registration fee of upto Rs.20,000. According to the grand old party, Maharashtra may receive more applicants than Haryana.
Former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan expressed enthusiasm and said that this response is because of the party's recent success in the Lok Sabha polls.
"Congress emerged as a formidable force with 13 Lok Sabha MPs and one Independent MP extending support to the party and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)leading in 65 per cent of assembly segments. This surge in applications is a positive sign for the party's prospects in Maharashtra," he added.
Former Minister Nitin Raut, who is a part of the panel screening/interviewing applicants, said that the maximum number of applications has come from Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, where Dalits, Muslims and Marathas are rooting for Congress and MVA.
Leaders in Maharashtra opined that while this shows that Congress and MVA are hot favourites in the state, this also presents a challenge for the party leadership, as they will have to carefully manage internal dynamics and select the right candidates. The party's ability to do so will be crucial in determining their success in the upcoming elections.