Day after Presidential poll results, state Congress entangled in infighting

Mumbai: A day after declaration of presidential election results, infighting has erupted within the state Congress with senior Congress spokesperson Anant Gadgil coming out openly against his party and alleging that he was not allowed to work. Youth Congress leader Satyajit Tambe, meanwhile, tweeted that two opposition leaders from Ahmednagar voted for BJP candidate Ram Nath Kovind, sparking off rumours.

Gadgil has written a letter to Congress MLAs about how he was prevented from performing his duties. He has not blamed any particular leader or named anyone. “I have always stood by the party in tough times from 2012 to 2014. I have presented my party’s side before the media correctly. However, I was not kept in the loop or informed about many things despite being a national spokesperson. I wasn’t told about the press conference of senior Congress leaders. I was not informed that the party’s office at Gandhi Bhavan was to be vacated for Metro work. Also, Congress’s defeat in Pune was disheartening. I feel that I should talk about it now,” he wrote.

On the other hand, Satyajit Tambe pointed at some Congress leaders, who, according to him, cross-voted in the polls.

“According to my reliable sources, two opposition MLAs from Ahmednagar district voted for the BJP presidential candidate,” he tweeted, setting off rumours in the party.

Reacting to these issues, state president Ashok Chavan asked the disgruntled people to speak directly to him instead of going to the media. “Those who are making claims should declare names of MLAs who have cross-voted. Also, speak to me directly instead of going to media,” he said.

Internal rift

Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane was upset with his party and rumours were flying thick and fast that he would join the BJP. There were reports that Rane had met BJP president Amit Shah and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Leader of the opposition in the state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil praised BJP for which he attracted flak from the party rank and file.

Narayan Rane's son Nitesh openly criticised Ashok Chavan for his style of functioning and offered his resignation as party leader.