Balkrishna Purnekar, who is back as Thane District Congress Committee President, has vowed to work for the rout of Shiv Sena-BJP from the Mumbai-Konkan belt and ensure the party's victory in coming State Assembly polls.

Talking to reporters here last night, he said the atmosphere was conducive for Congress in Thane and Mumbai to repeat its good showing in Lok Sabha polls. Purnekar, who was unceremoniously removed from the post over two years ago over allegations of mismanagement in the civic elections here, was reinstated last night by Maharashtra PCC President Manikrao Thakre.