Mallikarjun Kharge: People gave Cong mandate to sit in opposition

As wait for a new government in Maharashtra entered second week after anuncement of election results, Congress leer and former Lok Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday informed that Congress has t discussed issue since according to mandate given by people, party should sit in opposition. Kharge, who is currently party in-charge of Maharashtra, said that party will raise issues concerning people. "I would like to make it clear that we have t held discussions with anybody to form government in Maharashtra. People have given us mandate to sit in opposition," Kharge said while interacting with a news ncy.

"We will work to highlight problems facing public, like farmer issues, flood relief, education and so on," he ded while taking a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).  ding furr he said, "y h asked for votes in name of alliance and w when y have got a mandate, y are fighting for power. BJP can do anything to get power. y did same in Karnataka."

Calling ideology on which Congress and BJP fought elections to be different, he also said that it was duty of ruling alliance to form government. "y (BJP-Shiv Sena) fought on a different ideology and we on a different ideology. We will work for those who accepted our ideology and raise ir issues. But w BJP-Shiv Sena has to form government and serve people," Kharge was quoted as saying.

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Ramdas Athavle's appeal to Shiv Sena

On Thursday, RPI chief Ramdas Athavle me an appeal to Shiv Sena to join coalition. "I appeal Shiv Sena to join coalition informing government. I appeal to Shiv Sena and Sanjay Raut to play role of joining alliance,  t breaking alliance. y must consider a compromise," he said.

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Maharashtra poll result

When poll result was anunced on October 24, saffron alliance swept Maharashtra, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56). 'Maha-Aghi' alliance (NCP-Congress) also me a comeback with  NCP bagging 54 seats while languishing Congress bagged 44 seats. Though BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will form next government, it was handed a diminished mandate compared to 2014 where it won 185 seats.

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