Cong to set up cell for fishermen in bid to win Konkan

Mumbai: In a bid to consolidate its position in the Shiv Sena bastion of Konkan, the state Congress has set up a dedicated cell called the “Fishermen’s Congress”. The first meeting of the cell took place in Mumbai on Friday.

The party has deployed two of its MLAs, under whose supervision the cell will try to make inroads into the fishing community. Maharashtra has nine Lok Sabha constituencies where votes of fishing communities including Kolis, Agris and Bhandaris are substantial. The fishing communities in Thane, Palghar, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga districts have always stood behind the Sena. This entire Konkan belt is known as a Shiv Sena bastion.

Earlier, Sena founder Bal Thackeray had an unparalleled appeal in this belt. Now however, the Congress has decided to reach out to the community and try and get its support.

“Before the rise of the Sena, this Konkan belt and particularly, the fishing community, was a strong supporter of the Congress. There were stalwarts like Barrister Antulay and Shamrao Peje in the region, who were always respected as the leaders of all similar communities here. Now, we will reestablish our lost contacts with them,” said Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap. Mr Jagtap and another MLC Husnbanu Khalife have been given charge of the party’s new cell.

The Congress sees an opportunity in the Sena’s flip-flops over the Nanar refinery project in the region. Locals, especially from the fishing and other smaller communities are opposing this '1 lakh crore project in Ratnagiri district.