Lack of unity and disappointment with the functioning of state chief Nana Patole came to the fore at the meeting of Maharashtra Congress leaders, called by the party president Mallikarjun Kharge, in Delhi on Tuesday.

Senior leaders of Maharashtra Congress complained about the absence of a coordinated effort and unity of purpose at the meeting where Rahul Gandhi was also present. Most of the senior leaders are expecting a change of leadership in the state soon to be able to rebuild the party across the state after splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP have created a unique political crisis. State leaders insisted that this was the right time to expand the base even if they remained in coalition.

The Congress have completed the preparatory meetings for the Assembly elections in five states and on Tuesday, they started strategy sessions for the 2024 parliamentary elections beginning with Maharashtra. While Kharge stressed the importance of unity, Rahul recalled how his experience during the Bharat Jodo Yatra convinced him about the Congress strength in Maharashtra.

It was decided at the four-hour-long meeting that all senior leaders would take responsibility of parliamentary constituencies in their areas. Every seat will be looked after by one senior leader. Padyatras will be taken out in each district in September, while a combined bus yatra will be taken out with all senior leaders in November-December.

The dominant view at the meeting was that the BJP would face a tough challenge in the upcoming elections as people have not appreciated defections and role of the Enforcement Directorate in engineering splits in parties. The leaders recalled how the BJP suffered a massive defeat in Karnataka where they had stolen the government with the help of defections. They also hoped that the saffron party would be punished by the people in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election as well.