File photo of Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who completed three years in office today, was felicitated by the state Congress unit in Maharashtra.
Replying to the felicitation by Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre at the Congress office, the chief minister said his objective would be to ensure that the state retains its numero uno spot and to remove the developmental backlog.
"The coming Lok Sabha election is not merely an electoral battle but a battle against communalist forces," Mr Chavan said.
"Maharashtra has a long tradition of progressive thinking and has never tolerated communalism," he said.
The chief minister said he would work towards problems faced by 82 per cent farmers in the state who depend on rain-fed agriculture.
Mr Thakre lauded the "solid leadership" of Mr Chavan, who he said had given the state a corruption-free and transparent administration.
The work Mr Chavan has done as chief minister would surely benefit the party, Mr Thakre said. In the Lok Sabha elections, maximum number of MPs from the state would be of Congress, he added.
"I am confident that after the state Assembly polls next year, a Congress-led government will again assume power," he said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition alleged that Mr Chavan kept his own image clean but shielded others who were corrupt.
"Chavan kept his own image clean, but shielded his cabinet colleagues and others in irrigation and co-operative sector scams. He betrayed the people of the state by not tabling the Adarsh Society probe report within six months of its submission," state BJP chief Davendra Phadanvis said.