Assembly election: Congress appoints 2 ex-CMs as senior observers for Vidarbha

Nagpur: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed senior observers for the Maharashtra assembly elections, concentrating on crucial regions throughout the state.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has entrusted prominent leaders, including three erstwhile chief ministers and three former deputy chief ministers, with overseeing election preparations and strategies, according to a statement released by general secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday.

For the Vidarbha region, which comprises Amravati and Nagpur divisions, the responsibility has been assigned to prominent leaders such as Bhupesh Baghel, former CM of Chhattisgarh, along with Punjab's ex-CM Charanjit Singh Channi and Umang Singhar.

Vidarbha has traditionally been a Congress bastion but has witnessed a significant shift in recent years, particularly since the ascent of BJP in the region. With the appointment of such senior leaders, Congress is striving for a resurgence in this key region, which could be decisive in forming the next government in Maharashtra.

In addition to Vidarbha, the AICC has appointed Rajasthan's former CM Ashok Gehlot and G Parameshwara to oversee Mumbai and Konkan regions. Marathwada will be handled by Rajasthan's former deputy CM Sachin Pilot and Telangana minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, while Western Maharashtra will be under the supervision of TS Singhdeo and MB Patil. North Maharashtra has been assigned to Syed Naseer Hussain and D Anasuya Seethakka.

Senior leaders, including former Union minister from Vidarbha — Mukul Wasnik and former Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Pande — have been named the senior state election coordinators for the entire Maharashtra assembly polls. This team will coordinate with the regional observers to ensure a unified strategy across the state.

Vidarbha's election results will be closely monitored, given its history and significance in Maharashtra's political landscape, according to political observers.