Revitalizing Maharashtra Congress for 2024 General Elections

The new All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Maharashtra Congress, Ramesh Chennithala, faces the challenge of revitalizing the state unit of the party, which is dealing with internal conflicts and inactivity. Additionally, he must ensure smooth coordination between the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) during seat sharing talks for the 2024 general elections.

Chennithala, the former Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly, is familiar with the infighting within Maharashtra Congress. He was sent by party president Mallikarjun Kharge in February 2023 to assess the situation after Congress legislative party leader Balasaheb Thorat resigned due to a feud with state unit chief Nana Patole over the legislative council election involving Thorat’s relatives.

“Maharashtra Congress had no in-charge since the Karnataka elections, and leaders from different groups have been approaching to sort out differences or to complain against each other. There was no mechanism to address grievances at the state level itself,” a senior Congress leader said.

Several Congress leaders had gone to Delhi three months ago to complain against Patole’s “authoritative” manner of functioning. While Delhi supported Patole on several occasions, he was reprimanded by Delhi’s high command two months ago for announcing names of party leaders for initial seat sharing talks within the MVA without permission.

The infighting within the Congress’ Vidarbha unit was evident during the winter session of the state legislature, where both Patole and leader of opposition Vijay Wadettiwar were seen working individually instead of attacking the government as a united opposition. Other senior Congress leaders, except for Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, did not challenge the government.

Despite Patole’s claims of growing public support, the Maharashtra Congress has not organized a single statewide program after the completion of Bharat Jodo Yatra of Lok Sabha MP. The state unit’s first major task will be the successful arrangement of the party’s foundation day rally on December 28 at Nagpur.

In addition to internal party issues, Chennithala also faces the task of ensuring smooth Lok Sabha seat sharing within the MVA, which comprises Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The party had won only one seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, but the split in the Sena and the NCP has forced all three parties to assess their respective ground strength.

“Thackerays have already said that the seat sharing will have to take place at the earliest. Whether we (Congress) will insist on remaining in the big brother’s position or we will compromise in the larger interest are points that will be handled delicately,” the leader said.