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An unexpected tie-up between Congress with arch-rival BJP in Maharashtra to gain control over Gondia zilla parishad, stunned NCP. The grand Congress-NCP alliance was earlier formed on the eve of the state legislature's monsoon session to take on BJP's chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The unexpected move by Congress created an evident split between the parties on the floor of the house when Congress boycotted the proceedings on complete loan waiver for aggrieved farmers, whereas NCP legislators participated in the discussion.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, "Congress has to choose between NCP and BJP. It's already a known fact that senior Congress and Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil is hobnobbing with the CM. Now, people of Maharashtra have seen the real face of Congress."

Lok Sabha member and state Congress president Ashok Chavan said, "We never approved a proposal for Congress to join hands with BJP. The decision was taken at the local level. I have called for a report from our election observer as well as local legislator Gopal Agarwal."

Accused of supporting BJP, Gondia Congress legislator Gopal Agarwal has denied his role in the episode. He said that "I always abide by Congress high command's order. In the present case, the decision to support BJP was taken by zilla parishad members. I have no control over them. It appears that there was discontent among Congress members against NCP. Hence, they voted for the BJP nominee.”

-Sumana