'Like in Karnataka', Maharashtra Opposition to fight BJP in 2024 polls: NCP

Mumbai: The Opposition in Maharashtra is planning to bring to its fold smaller parties in the state to form a political bulwark against the BJP in the 2024 national polls.

NCP chief Jayant Patil said on Sunday that the Opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will take small parties along, to replicate the BJP’s crushing defeat in Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters after attending the MVA meeting at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's residence 'Silver Oak' in Mumbai, Patil said the MVA- comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress- will work out a seat-sharing formula ahead of the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra assembly elections, due in the second half of the next year.

MVA leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and state Congress chief Nana Patole, attended the meeting.

"Like Karnataka, I am sure the MVA will win the people's trust in Maharashtra and will work with more strength,"Patil said.

He said MVA leaders have decided to hold talks with other small parties and are hopeful of presenting a united opposition to the current dispensation in the country in 2024.

"The three constituents of MVA will meet and work out a seat-sharing formula ahead of the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra assembly elections. We are starting steadily and slowly,” Patil added.

He said the public rallies of MVA, titled 'Vajramooth', currently put on hold will resume after the summer heat subsides.

“Due to rising temperatures in the state, we have suspended the rallies. We will start holding them once the heat subsides,” he said.

Patil said these rallies can be arranged in June, and if the rains start early, we will organise them indoors.

In Karnataka elections, the results of which were declared on Saturday, the Congress won 135 seats out of 224, while the ruling BJP and the former prime minister HD Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.