Pune: Newly-appointed State Congress President Balasaheb Thorat said the party is ready to bounce back. “Congress has decided to give an opportunity to youngsters and sons of the soil,” he said, adding, “Don’t worry about who is leaving Congress party. Work hard to get success in State assembly elections.”

After taking charge as State President of Congress party, Thorat visited Pune Congress party unit office on Saturday. Party bearers of Pune Congress city unit felicitated Thorat. He also attended the press programme organised by Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ).

Speaking during the press meet, he said, “Congress has had some bad patches and bounced back. It is a battle of ideology and not development. We will double our seats in upcoming assembly polls as compared to last assembly polls. There is no difference between Congress and NCP. Our discussion is going on about seat sharing in assembly polls.”

On the recent announcement of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy giving 75 per cent reservation for locals in private sector, he said, “We are ready to reserve 75 per cent jobs for sons of the soil. We will decide how to introduce it in our manifesto.”

While addressing party workers, Thorat said, “It is a battle of ideology and not development. We have to work hard to save democracy. State assembly polls are coming, so we have to resolve all differences within the party and we have to work to win maximum number of seats in the polls.”

He gave reference of the defeat of Congress leader Indira Gandhi and the Congress party in 1970. He said, “In 1970, Congress party workers had shown unity and worked hard and the party came to power.”