MPCC hails Chavan's leadership after winning Nanded civic poll

Chavan who had to quit his post in 2010 following allegations of his involvement in the Adarsh housing scam had campaigned relentlessly for the civic election in his hometown.

Addressing a press conference here, MPCC president Manikrao Thakre said the victory in Nanded, where the party has got a clear majority with 41 seats in the 81 member civic body (against 37 earlier), was due to the people's faith in the party's ideology and leadership and hailed Chavan's role.

However, he maintained that it would be the party high command that would decide on giving him a larger role.

To a question on whether Congress will consider going alone in the state given that it had done better without aligning with NCP, Thakre said this decision too would be taken by the central leadership.

"The Alliance (with NCP) is based on the prevailing political situation and the final decision will be taken by the central leadership," he said.

About the unexpected success of All India Majlis-e- Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), a Hyderabad-based party which bagged 11 seats against two in the earlier term, he said "I admit we were not able to counter their provocative campaign."

Meanwhile, he informed that the party would launch its membership drive from October 17. He also said the system of primary and active membership has been done away and membership will now be given for five years instead of three.

Thakre said the target this year would be to enrol 50 lakh members.

While demanding that NAFED set up centres to purchase soybean and cotton from farmers, he said, "The government is not procuring the crop and farmers are not getting good price in the market."