The Congress-NCP spat over local body elections has widened the schism within Maharashtra’s government.
Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole is mincing no words while attacking its ally, the c (NCP), for backstabbing them by joining hands with the BJP in a recent local body poll.
Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader, dismissed the allegations, claiming that they were unimportant given his own history of jumping parties.
Congress vs NCP
A recent heated exchange of words between Congress and NCP leaders exposed the growing schism within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
After returning from the Congress’s Chintan Shivir in Jaipur, Nana Patole stated, “NCP is systematically trying to wipe out Congress from the state by not allocating funds to our MLA’s and ill-treating us. I have complained about the recent updates to our high command and they will reach some conclusion soon.”
Ajit Pawar clarified: “What he wants to tell their high command is an internal matter. We don’t need to be concerned about it. However, disagreements between government allies are unavoidable. We can at least have a discussion and work out our differences.”
Pawar’s remark about jumping parties didn’t sit well with Patole. He retaliated, saying, “The entire country knows that I was never as desperate for power as he was. I openly resigned from the BJP due to differences and joined the Congress in broad daylight.”
The BJP took power in Gondia Zilla parishad a week ago with the NCP’s support. This unexpected move irritated Nana Patole because it took him out of his own stronghold in Vidarbha’s Bhandara-Gondia constituency. Furthermore, the NCP was able to secure a vice presidential position for their candidate in the same local body.
Other senior NCP leaders, including Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, have stated that they will discuss the matter and make a decision to cover up the ugly spat between the leaders.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat backed Nana Patole, stating that what happened in Gondia was wrong.
