New Delhi. Before the announcement of assembly elections in Maharashtra, the Congress high command held a meeting with the state leaders. Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders held a meeting with Maharashtra leaders at the official residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. It is being told that Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have instructed the leaders of Maharashtra to stop factionalism completely. The Congress high command also cited Haryana’s defeat to convince the leaders of Maharashtra.
It is being told that Rahul has told the party leaders that the condition of Maharashtra should not be like that of Haryana. For this he asked to stop factionalism and work for the victory of Congress. State leaders were asked to keep their own interests aside and work for the party. Congress leaders were told that just as the issue of Jat versus non-Jat was created in Haryana, similarly the issue of Maratha versus non-Maratha or Maratha versus OBC should not arise in Maharashtra.
Informed sources say that in the meeting held on Monday, the central leadership told the leaders of Maharashtra in very clear words that they should not get entangled in the debate of who will become the Chief Minister. It is noteworthy that both State President Nana Patole and senior leader Balasaheb Thorat keep giving statements regarding the post of CM. The Congress leadership has said that its decision should be left to it. Similarly, leaders have been asked not to make public statements on seat sharing. Also, it has been asked not to make any promises regarding the manifesto.