Senior Congress leader M. Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Union government and alleged that it had fixed the dates for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana as per its own convenience.
Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, Mr.Kharge, who is also Maharashtra in-charge for the party, said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) should have given sufficient time for the elections.
Terming the dates as arbitrary, Mr. Kharge alleged that it was declared at the behest of BJP leaders.
He also accused the Modi-led government of misusing autonomous agencies, including the ECI. Mr. Kharge, replying to a question, said: “We are ready to face elections, and we have finalised the first list of candidates for the Assembly polls”.
Exuding confidence of forming the government in Maharashtra, Mr. Kharge came down heavily on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and accused him of blocking the State’s development during his tenure.
“The BJP cannot retain power in Maharashtra, as the voters will not support them,” he added. “The Maharashtra government has failed to address the agrarian crisis and also failed to release adequate funds to tackle the recent flood situation in the State.”
In response to a query on possibilities of an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) in the bypolls in Karnataka, Mr. Kharge said: “to protect our democracy and secular fabric all possibilities are open”.
