Speaking in Nanded, where a review meeting for preparation for the Assembly elections was held, Shaikh said, “We have requested the MPCC president to field Muslim members on at least 40 assembly seats that are dominated by the community… Patole has assured us that since Muslim community has given its support to the MVA in the recently held Lok Sabha election, leading them to win 31 seats, they will not disappoint us.”

The meeting was held in the presence of Congress state incharge Ramesh Chennithala, MPCC president Nana Patole, legislative party leader Balasaheb Thorat and Leader of the Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar.

Speaking at a press conference, Chennithala said that for the development of Maharashtra, oust the unconstitutional “Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram Mahayuti government”, which was elected by the people but formed through “defections and manipulations”, and bring the MVA government back to power.

“The government has no funds for welfare schemes but are announcing perks eying polls, using funds from other schemes… The Congress and MVA allies will contest the Assembly elections together. The MVA aims to provide a capable government for the people,” said Chennithala, who also condemned the incident in which the convoy of Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray was attacked in Thane.