Nagpur: After a good show in Municipal
Council elections in Maharashtra, the Congress would like to
maintain the winning tempo in the upcoming polls to Municipal
Corporations also, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Saturday.
"The just-concluded elections of Municipal Councils
have displayed a great amount of anti-incumbency against the
ruling parties in respective areas," Chavan told a select
group of journalists at a breakfast meeting at his official
residence here.
The Congress and NCP, alliance partners in the state
and at the Centre, are holding discussion for a tie-up for the
elections to civic corporations of Mumbai, Nashik, Thane and
Nagpur due in February, he said.
Five senior leaders from each party are working out
seat-sharing arrangement, Chavan said.
After an encouraging performance in Council polls, the
Congress, which won nearly 1,000 seats, hopes to carry forward
the momentum in corporation elections also, the CM said.
About the Naxal issue, Chavan said his Government was
keen to deal with the menace with an iron hand and at the same
time post young and dedicated officers from Revenue and Police
Departments in the affected areas.
"Young officers should be given their initial posting
in Naxal-affected districts like Gadchiroli and Gondia."
Chavan admitted Maoists are recruiting cadres in big
cities like Pune and Thane. "They are trying to influence the
youth with their ideology and targeting college students."
Police leadership is an important factor in curbing
Naxalism. There was no point in posting officers, who are on
verge of retirement, in Naxal-hit regions, he said.
PTI
