The Maharashtra Congress Tuesday vowed to safeguard the unique status of Mumbai as the country's commercial capital, which, it accused the BJP government of attempting to dilute.
Launching the Congress campaign for the Oct 15 assembly elections at the temple town of Tuljapur in Osmanabad district this afternoon, several speakers charged the BJP of attempting to divert Mumbai's businesses and financial resources to neighbouring Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This would not be tolerated at any cost and the Congress would expose the BJP's game-plan to ensure that Mumbai's status is maintained, the speakers said at a massive rally here.
In his speech, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan accused former ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of breaking alliance with Congress with an eye on central cabinet berths in tandem with the BJP.
"NCP has handed over the state (now, under President's rule) to the BJP by withdrawing support...It was their game-plan for political gains...They want to join the central government," Chavan said.
Last week, after the NCP broke the 15-year old alliance, the Congress was reduced to a minority, Chavan resigned and President's rule was imposed in the state.
Training guns on the BJP, Chavan said that it was only inaugurating and claiming credit for projects initiated or completed as a result of the hard work by the former UPA government at the centre.
"Only a government which has a full majority can ensure development and progress. Give Congress a clear mandate," Chavan urged, listing out a slew of promises including housing for poor and drinking water for all villages.
Former minister Narayan Rane said the opposition BJP and the Shiv Sena were fighting among themselves for the post of chief minister even before the elections were held and the people's verdict clear.
"There is no deserving or capable candidate for the post of CM in the opposition...That's why they are still compelled to seek votes in the name of Narendra Modi," said Rane, who is the chief of the party's campaign committee.
Other prominent leaders who spoke at the occasion included former union minister Sushilkumar Shinde, former chief minister Ashok Chavan, state Congress president Manikrao Thakre, several former ministers and other senior party office-bearers.
