Mumbai: Congress’ 79-seat victory has boosted the morale of the Maharashtra Congress. The 137-year-old party, which saw its vote share in Gujarat increase, had witnessed one of its worst defeats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In Maharashtra too, the party has faced losses at all levels. However, the performance in the Gujarat Assembly polls whose results were declared on Monday has given the party hope.
Terming the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory ‘technical’, Congress state president Ashok Chavan said that his party has done well.
“The BJP was aiming for 150 but struck below 100. On the other hand, Congress has done well under leadership of Rahul Gandhi,” Mr Chavan said. Congress’ clean sweep in the Nanded Municipal Corporation some time back had also heralded positive signs for the grand old party in the state.
When asked about Congress’s political plight in Maharashtra, Mr Chavan said it is better than Gujarat. “There is no doubt that Congress acceptance has increased. But I feel that in Maharashtra we are much better,” he said.
Congress MLA Varsha Gaikwad, who was secretary for the Gujarat polls, was thrilled with the tough fight. “The people in Gujarat have shown faith in Rahul Gandhi and the same will be repeated in Maharashtra too. There was this mighty BJP with all the government machinery and money, and Rahul Gandhi on the other hand. This is the beginning of a changing atmosphere for the BJP,” said Ms Gaikwad, who had campaigned for four months in Gujarat.
Ms Gaikwad, a former minister, said that Congress would be revived under the leadership of Mr Gandhi.
“This will change the picture in Maharashtra also,” she added.
