Nana Patole stepped down as the president of the Maharashtra Congress on Monday, just days after the party’s dismal performance in the recently concluded assembly elections.
Among the party’s key leaders in the state—Nana Patole, Balasaheb Thorat, and Prithviraj Chavan—only Patole managed to secure a win. However, his victory in the Sakoli assembly constituency, Bhandara district, came with a razor-thin margin of just 208 votes, marking one of the lowest winning gaps in the elections. Thorat and Chavan faced defeats in their respective constituencies.
Speaking on Sunday, before his resignation, Patole emphasized that the Congress would play the role of a vigilant opposition, ensuring that the newly-formed Mahayuti government fulfills its electoral promises made in the manifesto and public addresses.
The BJP, on the other hand, delivered a resounding performance, achieving a record-breaking tally in Maharashtra. The party’s efforts propelled the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, to a sweeping three-fourths majority. This victory solidified the BJP’s dominance, with 128 out of its 149 candidates emerging victorious. The result also extended the party’s winning streak, following its historic hat-trick in Haryana last month.
Patole’s resignation leaves the Congress grappling with internal challenges and searching for leadership to revive its fortunes in the politically crucial state.
