Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) The Mumbai Congress on Saturday announced the launch of a campaign to mobilise north Indians in the city and to highlight the party’s “close relationship” with them by showcasing their contribution in the growth of the metropolis, a move coming ahead of local body polls in Maharashtra.
It also comes in the wake of the aggressive stand taken by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) against the imposition of Hindi and incidents of attacks by workers of these parties on individuals, especially north Indians, for alleged reluctance to speak Marathi.
Addressing a press conference, Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad said the party’s ‘Mumbai Virasat Milan’ campaign is aimed at reaffirming its long-established ties with the community, taking up its issues and building organisational strength.
“The Congress has always been a strong supporter of north Indian people in Mumbai, and the new campaign will serve to reconnect and mobilise the community at the grassroots level. There is a close relationship between Mumbai’s north Indian community and the Congress,” she said.
“Even today, while some forces attempt to spread hatred against north Indians, the Congress continues to stand firmly with them,” the Lok Sabha member from the Mumbai North Central constituency said.
The campaign, launched under the party’s North Indian Cell, will include events across various parts of Mumbai. The objective is to highlight prominent locations associated with the north Indian community, celebrate their cultural heritage and educate people about the Congress party’s long-standing association with the community, Gaikwad added.
“The North Indian Cell will organise programmes in the city to showcase the contribution of north Indians in the growth of Mumbai and the support extended by the Congress party to the community over the years. This is an effort to build organisational strength at every level,” she said.
According to her, the Congress has consistently provided political representation to members of the north Indian community by giving them key positions like corporator, legislator, MP and minister.
However, some individuals misused these opportunities for their personal gain, rather than working for the development of the community, she alleged.
“The Congress party will take up the core issues of the north Indian community, including matters related to railways and hawkers,” she said. PTI MR NP
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