Congress sounds poll bugle for Maharashtra assembly

Narendra Modi-led govt's first 100 days' report card dismal, says Prithviraj Chavan

The Congress in Maharashtra on Monday launched the party's campaign for the Assembly elections, slated for October, attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the report card of the first 100 days of Modi government was dismal. Chavan said the Centre-State relations, which were protected during the Congress rule, are in danger.

Chavan said Congress will not tolerate booing at party leaders by BJP workers in Modi's presence during official functions. "At official functions, the chief minister is humiliated by not being allowed to speak in the presence of the prime minister. The people of Maharashtra will not tolerate such behaviour," Chavan said. Chavan had recently stayed away from Modi's function after he was heckled on an earlier occasion.

Chavan held the Modi-led government responsible for the current power crisis, and claimed the Centre was deliberately denying power to Maharashtra and other states from the central power grid. He called upon the prime minister to immediately call a meeting of states to discuss the power scenario.

Chavan said despite Modi government's attempt to put Maharashtra in trouble, the state government will do everything possible to provide electricity to the people.

Congress party's poll campaign committee chief and state industries minister Narayan Rane led a blistering attack against BJP saying that the party owes an explanation on the inclusion of Karnataka's former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa in Amit Shah's new team.

''Instead of targeting Congress party on the corruption issue, BJP should make its stand clear. the BJP ruled states are most corrupt,'' he added.