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Cong wants local units to decide on allies in local body polls

Decision to continue the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance to be taken by involved stakeholders

Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshvardhan Sapkal (Photo: X/ @harshsapkal)

A day after Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituent Nationalist Congress Party (SP) discussed giving authority to local units on deciding who to ally with in the upcoming local body polls, Maharashtra Congress too on Thursday said that the party has authorised district committees to decide on alliances.

“The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment paved the way for decentralisation of power by giving constitutional status to rural and urban local bodies. The Congress party too believes in decentralisation of power. And therefore we have decided to give authority to our district committees on forming the alliances in the local body polls,” Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said at a press conference. He was replying to a query on whether the MVA will contest the upcoming local body election together.

Sapkal said that the local district units will take a political decision based on the conditions at respective areas. When asked about whether the party will maintain the alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) for Mumbai, Sapkal said, “Our Mumbai committee is currently holding discussions regarding this with all involved stakeholders. A decision will be taken by them.”

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Earlier, Sapkal demanded a time-bound caste census programme using the Telangana and Karnataka pattern. “Caste census is not mere counting but a social agenda. The central government had to take the decision because of the persistent efforts from our leader Rahul Gandhi. The government must seek help and guidance from Telangana and Karnataka who have successfully undertaken caste census and declare a time-bound programme for the same,” he said.

On Wednesday, NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil held a meeting with party office bearers where the issue of local body polls was discussed. According to sources within the NCP (SP), the party has decided to entrust local units on political alliances for the upcoming local body polls.

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