Congress launches Karnataka-like campaign against Shinde government

Mumbai: Following its successful campaign against the then BJP government in Karnataka, the Maharashtra Congress has launched a similar campaign against chief minister Eknath Shinde government. The Congress has launched a “Pay Triple Engine” campaign targeting CM Shinde, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Ajit Pawar. In Karnataka, the allegation against the BJP government was that it took 40 per cent bribe for every contract. Now, the Congress has alleged that the Shinde government takes 50 per cent of every contract as a bribe.

The Congress has registered posters which appear like the payment QR codes in shops. Apart from the QR code, the posters also carry photos of Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. “Pay Triple Engine” and “50% commission accepted here” is also written on the posters.

“Pay commission and take tender policy of the government has not benefited the state, but it has benefited only a few select contractors. Scan the QR code and register your protest against this corrupt government,” the party posted on its official X handle while releasing the posters of the campaign.

“Money has also been swindled from the schemes in the name of farmers. Maharashtra has been made a state of the unemployed. The BJP coalition government's model of development is just a sham. Rampant looting is going on in the name of development. Now this government must be dislodged from the state,” Congress president Nana Patole said.

After scanning the QR code, one is directed to a Google forms titled - “Triple Engine 50 per cent Commission Sarkar” which has six questions. The Congress party had launched similar campaigns in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh before the assembly elections in those states. While in Karnataka, the Congress managed to return to power, its campaign against then MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan did not receive much success.

The Assembly elections in Maharashtra are expected to take place in October-Novemebr this year. After the success in Lok Sabha, when the Congress won 12 out of 17 seats it contested and emerged as the largest party in the state. The party is hoping to get similar success in the Assembly election.