Desk | Nagpur

Maharashtra BJP President and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while expressing confidence that the ruling Mahayuti alliance would secure a decisive victory in the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Bawankule claimed that the political picture in the state was already clear and that Mahayuti candidates were in a strong position across all 17 seats being contested. He stated that the alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), enjoys overwhelming numerical strength, making the outcome of several contests almost certain.

Bawankule revealed that senior Mahayuti leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, had been coordinating efforts to ensure alliance unity. He said discussions were underway with independent candidates and alliance partners to avoid unnecessary contests and prevent division of votes.

The BJP leader also appealed to opposition parties, particularly Congress, to reconsider contesting seats where they lack sufficient support. According to him, elections should be fought where there is a realistic chance of victory rather than merely participating for symbolic reasons.

Addressing reports of rebellion and dissatisfaction among alliance members, Bawankule downplayed concerns and said most independent candidates and dissatisfied leaders would eventually align with the alliance’s decisions. He expressed confidence that any differences within the coalition would be resolved before the final stages of the election process.

During the interaction, Bawankule strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks warning of potential economic challenges facing India. Taking a personal swipe at the Congress leader, he remarked that Gandhi had grown up in privilege and therefore could not fully understand the struggles of ordinary citizens.

Bawankule defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic policies, arguing that the government has consistently prioritized welfare schemes for the poor and middle class while strengthening India’s economic position. He dismissed Gandhi’s predictions about economic instability and political uncertainty as unrealistic and politically motivated.

The BJP leader also praised the government’s efforts to modernize agricultural markets, highlighting plans to transform Nagpur’s Kalamna Market into a nationally connected trading hub. He said the initiative would help farmers from the Vidarbha region access wider domestic and international markets, boosting exports of fruits, vegetables, and agricultural produce.

Concluding his remarks, Bawankule reiterated that Mahayuti remains united and fully confident of emerging victorious across Maharashtra in the upcoming Legislative Council elections.