Prithviraj Chavan Says MVA Will Attract 80 Defectors

In a recent dialogue, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan outlined the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) strategy for the upcoming assembly elections, emphasizing a campaign focused on integrity and accountability. Chavan criticized defectors who he claims have "sold their integrity, loyalty, and trust," urging voters in 80 assembly constituencies to reconsider their support for these individuals. He highlighted the MVA's commitment to addressing pressing issues such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, and financial mismanagement. Chavan, who previously led the Congress-NCP government from 2010 to 2014, expressed confidence in the MVA's electoral prospects, citing the coalition's success in the recent Lok Sabha elections where they secured 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. He projected that this momentum could translate into winning 183 seats in the assembly elections. His remarks reflect a strategic focus on leveraging past electoral successes to galvanize voter support. The former chief minister also raised concerns about the state’s financial health, noting that Maharashtra may need to borrow Rs2.4 lakh crore to meet its commitments. He criticized the current government's fiscal management, pointing out that the fiscal deficit gap has widened from 3% to 5%. Chavan further alleged that the Mahayuti government's approvals for roadworks were driven by corruption, citing inflated costs for projects like the Samruddhi Mahamarg compared to similar initiatives in Uttar Pradesh. Overall, Chavan's statements underscore the MVA's intent to challenge the ruling government on both ethical and economic grounds as they prepare for the upcoming elections.