‘A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED’

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Patole, however, said he was not aware of any such move by Thorat and claimed that his predecessor doesn’t speak “with us”, while the BJP said its doors are open if the Congress leader wishes to switch sides.

Thorat, who represents the Sangamner constituency in Ahmednagar district, has sent his resignation to the party high command, said the sources.

An aide of Thorat had earlier said that the Congress leader had written to the Congress central leadership citing his inability to work with Patole due to the latter’s “anger” towards him. Thorat also said he was not being consulted before decisions were being taken, the aide added.

Speaking to reporters

Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat

I have not received any resignation letter from Thorat. He has not been speaking to us for the past few days. Maybe he is talking to the media. If I receive his letter, I will comment on it —Nana Patole, state unit chief on Tuesday here, Patole said, “I have not received any resignation letter from Thorat. He has not been speaking to us for the past few days. Maybe he is talking to the media.”

“If I receive his letter, I will comment on it,” said the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president. The Bharatiya Janata Party also sought to cash in on the Congress infighting.

BJP state president Chandrashekhar

Bawankule said, “Our doors are open for leaders like Balasaheb Thorat. If he wishes, he can join the BJP. But he is not a small leader who will join BJP over someone’s suggestions or instructions.”

Bawankule said anyone joining the BJP will be “respected” and “honoured” and asserted his party is not making any offers to Thorat. It is a fact that there is unrest among Congress’ “B and C level” workers, he said.

Pune: Senior Maharashtra Congress leader and former CM Sushilkumar Shinde said on Tuesday it is not yet known if their state legislature party chief Balasaheb Thorat has resigned from his post. Responding to reporters about reports that Thorat has sent his resignation to the party high command, Shinde said, “Whether it is resignation or just a letter, it is still not known. No talks have taken place with him (Thorat). I was with the state Congress president (Nana Patole) and he also had no idea about it. So it would not be appropriate to comment on it.” When asked about the differences between the senior leaders within the party, Shinde said “all these things” are temporary. “Everything will be alright and there is nothing to worry about,” he said. Thorat is the maternal uncle of Satyajit Tambe who recently won the Legis lative Council election from the Nashik division graduates constituency as an independent candidate.

An aide of Thorat had earlier said

Our doors are open for leaders like Balasaheb Thorat. If he wishes, he can join the BJP. But he is not a small leader who will join BJP over someone’s suggestions or instructions. Anyone joining the BJP will be “respected” and “honoured” and asserted his party is not making any offers to Thorat.

—Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP state chief that the Congress leader had written to the Congress central leadership citing his inability to work with Patole due to the latter’s “anger” towards him.