Congress's big warning to Maharashtra leaders after Haryana debacle

The Congress leadership warned Maharashtra leaders against overconfidence after the Haryana poll setback, according to party sources. At a key meeting, they emphasised unity and hard work for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election.

In Short

• BJP's Haryana win prompts Congress to strategise for Maharashtra
• Party cautions Maharashtra leaders against overconfidence
• Rahul Gandhi and Kharge emphasise unity and hard work

The Congress top brass has cautioned its Maharashtra leaders against becoming overconfident and complacent following the party's poor performance in the Haryana Assembly elections, said a party source. Senior Congress leaders from Maharashtra gathered at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi today for a crucial meeting.

According to Congress sources, the party high command held a brainstorming session with Maharashtra leaders to strategise for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election, expected to take place in November or December. The state, with 288 Assembly seats, is seen as a key battleground for the party.

In the meeting, Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge gave a clear message. They urged Maharashtra leaders to avoid overconfidence, stay united, and work hard to defeat the ruling coalition, without directly referring to the Haryana results, sources said.

The meeting also included discussions on the party’s election strategy. Congress poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu briefed the attendees on the caste and community dynamics in Maharashtra, highlighting critical insights for the upcoming polls, sources said.

Suggestions for the party’s election manifesto were also shared, with meetings between Congress and its allies already taking place in Mumbai to finalise the document.

Party leaders also discussed how the BJP is allegedly attempting to divide the electorate along caste and community lines and trying to split anti-incumbency votes by backing rebel candidates against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Congress aims to develop a counter-strategy to neutralise these tactics and will closely monitor its opponents.

The BJP made a surprising comeback in Haryana Assembly polls, halting the Congress's celebrations and securing a remarkable victory for a historic third term in the state, despite exit polls predicting otherwise.

The BJP won 48 of 90 seats in Haryana; the majority mark stands at 46. The Congress won 37 seats. No party has won a third consecutive term in Haryana since its inception in 1966.