"All the posts of various committees in the PMC are being given to the Shiv Sena and the BJP. This will help in strengthening the party hold in the city," City Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi said at a rally organised by Youth Congress for Western Maharasthra.

He said the NCP joined hands with the saffron parties in PMC despite the Congress emerging as the second largest party.

The Congress allied with the NCP at the national and State-level though the NCP lacked strength. "But the NCP did not do the same at local level," Kalmadi said. "The strengthening of saffron alliance should be stopped in the city and the Congress will vote for NCP candidate in the election for standing committee chairman to keep the Shiv Sena and BJP from occupying the coveted post," he added.

The Congress leader also said the exodus of North Indians from the city due to the MNS and Shiv Sena was unfortunate. "The construction industry has suffered due to the North Indians leaving the city and it signifies the contribution of the North Indians in the development of the city," Kalmadi said.

Congress Youth Wing president Ashok Tanwar urged the State wing of the youth wing to to take on the Shiv Sena and MNS stand on North Indians.

The Congress youth wing should take the responsibility of stopping the North Indians from leaving the state, he added.

State Cooperative Minister Patangrao Kadam said the State Congress has been a major source a strength for the Congress in the country and the party cadres should work for maintaining the party base in the State.