Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders on Saturday said the results of the Maharashtra assembly elections are contrary to the expectations and sentiments of the people. Prominent leaders from all levels across the state, including Congress and other MVA leaders, office bearers, grassroots workers, and journalists, have expressed surprise at the outcome. Even the exit polls had indicated a close contest between the BJP alliance and the MVA.
However, the final results are being termed unbelievable, incomprehensible, and unacceptable by Ramesh Chennithala, Maharashtra in-charge for the Congress. Speaking at a press conference at Tilak Bhavan, Chennithala said that while the Congress-MVA alliance had secured a resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections, such a significant change within just five months seemed implausible.
#WATCH | On #MaharashtraElection2024, Congress in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala says, "The results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections are unbelievable and are not acceptable as they don't match the public sentiments...The exit polls also predicted a close fight… pic.twitter.com/WcuSsMUMXY
— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2024
"We toured the state, engaged with the people, and fought the elections with full preparation. With pressing issues like farmers' crises, inflation, unemployment, and government corruption, it’s hard to believe that the Ladki Bahin scheme alone could drive such an overwhelming result. Even the public finds this outcome hard to believe," he remarked.
Congress state president Nana Patole narrowly won his seat, but several key leaders of the Congress, including eight-time MLA Balasaheb Thorat and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, faced defeat. Chennithala accepted responsibility for the loss, adding, "The Congress party will continue to work with renewed vigour for the people's issues and the protection of democracy."
Patole stated that the assembly election results were unexpected and would be analysed at a senior level. He urged the new government to continue the Ladki Bahin scheme, implement farmer loan waivers, provide 24-hour electricity to agriculture, offer a bonus of Rs 6,000 for soyabeans, Rs 9,000 for cotton, and Rs 1,000 for paddy, ensure compensation for farmers if prices fall below MSP, create job opportunities for youth, and work towards a corruption-free Maharashtra.
He also emphasised stopping the sale of state assets and improving Maharashtra’s treasury. Patole added that during the election campaign, MVA rallies received a good public response, while BJP alliance leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies failed to draw crowds. "Given these circumstances, the results seem unexpected. We will reflect on this defeat and continue working for the people's issues," he said.
The press conference was attended by Congress state president Nana Patole, AICC General Secretary Avinash Pandey, Rajya Sabha member Chandrakant Handore, AICC Secretaries B.M. Sandeep and Kunal Choudhary, MLA Bhai Jagtap, Vice President (Organisation & Administration) Nana Gawande, and Maharashtra Congress Chief Spokesperson Atul Londhe, among others.
