Congress hopeful of good show in Corporation polls: Prithviraj Chavan

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 today.

"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.