Political Rallies In Nagpur: Congress Plans Counterattack With Rahul-Priyanka Show Against Modi Government After MVA’s Rally Targeting Shinde-Fadnavis

Maharashtra Congress' public relations department is planning a separate rally in Nagpur a week after the Maha Vikas Aghadi's "Vajramooth" rally scheduled on 16 April.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be present to criticise the Modi government's policies during the Congress rally.

Despite objections from a Congress leader about the timing of the rally by the Gandhis, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has indicated a reduction of tensions between the two parties. Previously, Uddhav had expressed anger towards Rahul Gandhi for allegedly mocking Veer Savarkar, who is highly respected in Marathi culture.

Shiv Sena UBT has said that it has “no problem” with the Congress' separate rally.

“The Congress is holding rallies across the country against the Modi government’s policies favouring certain industrialists and trying to wreck our democracy. The first rally is likely to take place at Kolar, the second one in Nagpur. The Nagpur rally will be held sometime between April 20 and 25. The exact date has not been fixed so far,” the state Congress’s chief spokesperson Atul Londhe told The Indian Express Thursday.

Londhe explained that two rallies are being organised in Nagpur due to distinct purposes. “Rahul Gandhi’s rally is part of the nationwide rallies planned by the Congress against the Modi government’s policies, while from the MVA’s ‘Vajramooth’ rally, the three parties will unitedly highlight the state government’s failures.”

According to Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut, the MVA does not have issues with the Congress holding a rally soon after their own.

“The Congress’s rally is part of its move to hold such rallies across the country, while the MVA rallies are being held across Maharashtra, specifically targeting the state government, though the central government will also be attacked,” he said.