‘Had Nana not resigned, MVA govt would have survived’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Congress leader and MLA Vijay

Wadettiwar called on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Thursday and discussed the internal matters in Congress and Balasaheb Thorat’s resignation from the post of Legislature Party leader. Meanwhile, when asked whether the resignation of Balasaheb Thorat from the post of Legislature Par- ty leader has been accepted, Wadettiwar said, “the Congress high command will decide whether to accept the resignation of Balasaheb Thorat or not.”

Wadettiwar said, “Decision on Thorat’s resigna tion and state president will be taken by the Congress high command. I have met Mall ikarjun Kharge for the first time in Delhi after he became the Congress President. This time I have conveyed to him the state’s situation.”

Sanjay Raut had recently given a statement that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government fell because of Nana Patole. When Vadettiwar was asked about this,

Vadettiwar said that Nana Patole is a capable leader. “He did a good job as Speaker of the Assembly. But his resignation caused great em- barrassment. The new chairman could not be elected. The result was that the Mahavikas Aghadi government had to step down from power. He should not have resigned. Everyone felt that if Nanabhau had not resigned, this government would have survived,” he said.

Cong Rebel Withdraws Nomination

Mumbai (FIB): Balasaheb Dabekar, who rebelled against the Congress and filed an independent candidature, withdrew his candidature on Thursday. After the withdrawal, it was said that the Congress felt highly relieved that it has been successful in suppressing the rebellion. Rebelling from the Congress, Balasaheb Dabhekar on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Kasba Assembly bypoll. Efforts were started by the Congress to withdraw Dabekar’s nomination. Congress supervisor MLA Sangram Thopte, in-charge city president Arvind Shinde and other Congress officials discussed with Dabekar on Wednesday night. During this discussion, Dabhekar’s mind got stuck. Dabhekar had announced that he would announce the decision after discussing with the workers. Accordingly, on Thursday, Dabekar withdrew his candidature.

Pune: Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Thursday claimed that Gautam Adani prospered during the Congress regime in Gujarat and said one cannot become the prime minister by growing a “beard”, referring to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the industrialist in Parliament.

“I believe that no one can become the prime minister by growing a beard, one becomes (PM) by growing intellect. Today, when you (Gandhi) are talking about Adani, don’t you know when Adani prospered?” he said.

Mungantiwar was talking to reporters during the BJP’s campaign kick-off for the bypoll in the Kasba Peth constituency, scheduled to be held on February 26.

“In 1993, when Chimanbhai Patel was CM of Gujarat, it was you (Congress) who gave land to Adani at 10 paise per square metre. When Chhabildas Mehta was CM, the Mundra port work was given (to Adani group),” said Mungantiwar. The minister

“One can’t become PM by growing beard, one becomes (PM) by growing intellect” said there is an attempt by the Congress to spread lies about the Adani controversy. Asked about comment on Congress state chief Nana Patole in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana and whether there is disquiet within MVA the minister said there was no need for them to check what is happening in MVA. “Our work is not for power, our work is for truth. Our work is for dharma (righteousness) and not adharma (unrighteousness). I do not see any need to comment on what is going on there (in MVA),” he said.