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In a crucial meeting in Delhi on Monday, the Congress has decided to go cautiously on the issue of fighting the upcoming elections with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Indications are that Congress might go solo.

Talking to the media persons after the meeting, the party’s state in charge Ramesh Chennithala said that though a discussion was held on the BMC polls, the final decision would be taken after consultations with the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Replying to a question on Thackeray brothers joining hands, he said the party does not approve of statements made by Raj Thackeray against the North Indians. It is not yet clear about both brothers coming together for the elections, said Chennithala.

It is said that a meeting of the Congress’s political affairs committee has been called on July 7, and the final decision about contesting the local body polls with or without Shiv Sena will be taken.

Harshwardhan Sapkal, the state Congress unit chief, said the party has empowered local units to decide on contesting the local body elections with or without alliance with any party.

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Meanwhile, a decision was also taken to appoint a committee under Prithviraj Chavan on the alleged malpractices in the voters' list.

Besides Chennithala and Sapkal, those present during the meeting were Vijay Wadettiwar, Nana Patole, Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, ex-CM Prithviraj Chavan, ex-ministers Balasaheb Thorat, Naseem Khan, Yashomati Thakur, Satej Patil, along with MLAs Amin Patel and Praniti Shinde.

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