Maharashtra: Congress state election committee meeting held at Tilak Bhavan

Maharashtra state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, Congress state president Nana Patole, Legislature Congress Party leader Balasaheb Thorat, opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar, former Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, All India Congress Committee general secretary Mukulji Wasnik, and Goa in-charge Manikrao Thackeray were present in the meeting.

This meeting follows Congress's unexpected loss in Haryana, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 48 seats while Congress won only 37 seats.

The Maharashtra Assembly, consisting of 288 seats, will go to polls later this year. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the election schedule.

Earlier today, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole termed the Maharashtra government's decision to give full toll exemption for all LMVs entering Mumbai as an election 'jumla' and urged people to "not take it seriously."

Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said, "This is an election 'jumla'. Do not take it seriously."

Meanwhile, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan termed the Maharashtra government's decision to exempt the full toll of all LMVs entering Mumbai as a desperate move ahead of the election.

"They are desperate and they are losing the elections," Chavan said.

The upcoming assembly election will see a contest between two alliances. On one side, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, and the Maha Yuti Alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction).

Earlier on October 13, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said that the MVA will announce their chief ministerial face after Mahayuti. Mahayuti is the alliance of BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction). MVA on the other hand, is the alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT (Uddhav Thackeray's faction) and NCP-SP (Sharad Pawar's faction).

Addressing a joint press conference, Uddhav Thackeray said, "BJP's condition is so bad, that they are forced to contest under the leadership of thieves and traitors...Let Mahayuti announce their CM face first then we will let you all know who is our CM face. Being in government, Mahayuti should announce their CM face first."

He also attacked the Maharashtra government over the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui and said suspicions are raised on every action of the Shinde government. (ANI)