Nagpur: Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has ruled out the possibility of the emergence of a third front in the country before the elections of 2019 and said that Congress will lead the anti-BJP parties in India under the leadership of UPA chairman Sonia Gandhi. He said that the Congress will fight against the ideology of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Further, Mr Chavan denied that there was any seat-sharing formula or alliance with the Shiv Sena and alleged that the BJP may force the latter for an alliance by pressuring the action by Enforcement department or other Central agencies.
Mr Chavan said, “We have a problem forming the alliance with Sena, but if NCP agrees to give up few seats from their quota to Sena, then we don’t have any objection. However, if NCP decides to fight alone, then inference can be drawn about understanding with BJP. Also, if BJP, Sena fight separately and if Congress-NCP fight together, we will surely win in the state.” Mr Chavan also slammed the bullet train and Samruddhi Mahamarg projects and claimed that they are not economically viable. “Fare of the bullet train will cost more than a flight and toll on Samruddhi Mahamarg will be around Rs 1,400 per vehicle from Mumbai to Nagpur.”
