CM Fadnavis skips event, avoids taint

Mumbai: It was all praises for National Congress Party (NCP) state chief Sunil Tatkare at the launch ceremony of a book on his political career.

Leaders involved across the state politics were present for the ceremony. Interestingly, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was supposed to be the chief guest at the programme, couldn’t reach the venue.

Mr Fadnavis’ supposed presence at the programme had previously created a critical buzz in the state’s political circle as it was he who had levelled the allegations of corruption against Mr Tatkare when the latter was a minister in the erstwhile Congress and NCP government. Mr Tatkare is facing an inquiry for being involved in the irrigation scam of Kondhane and Balganga by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). In this backdrop, Mr Fadnavis would have faced severe criticism had he attended the programme. However, he couldn’t do so as he got late to reach the venue from Nanded.

Social activist Anjali Damania, who is also a complainant in cases against Mr Tatkare, was against the idea of Mr Fadnavis attending the programme. To express the same, she came to protest at the Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi, the venue of the programme, with her colleagues, but was detained by the police.

The book, Samagra, was launched by Sharad Pawar and revenue minister Chandrakant Patil along with Narayan Rane, Ajit Pawar, Mahadev Jankar and other leaders. Mr Pawar called Mr Tatkare a leader who despite coming from a humble background has proved his mettle in state politics, against all odds.

“He comes from a community that doesn’t have more than 200 votes in the Assembly constituency and yet he has managed to rise with an inclusive attitude,” said Mr Pawar while praising Mr Tatkare.