Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
Tambe accuses Cong of conspiracy, infighting
MUMBAI: The council polls have brought infighting and factionalism in the state Congress to the fore. Satyajeet Tambe on Saturday accused the party leadership of conspiring against him and his family and defaming them, including his maternal uncle Balasaheb Thorat – a prominent Congress leader.
The development came a day after council poll results were declared in which Tambe emerged victorious against MVA candidate Shubhangi Patil in Nashik Teacher’s constituency.
“Party chief Nana Patole sent the wrong A and B forms and ensured that I do not get the candidature by declaring my father Sudhir Tambe as a candidate at the eleventh hour,” said Tambe.
A and B forms inform returning officers about the official candidate of the party.
“Despite all the discussions that either I or my father will contest the polls from Nashik Teachers’ Constituency, we were sent the wrong forms by the state president. The forms bearing signatures of Patole were meant for Aurangabad Teachers’ Constituency and Nagpur Teachers’ Constituency,” Tambe added, showing copies of the forms to HT.
Tambe alleged that the conspiracy was to push him out of the party and a deliberate attempt to defame his family.
Meanwhile, Congress refuted all the allegations.
“I had told them clearly that it was a family dispute and not drag the party into it. Do not force me to reveal everything. I can say a lot about who tried to sail on two boats.” said Patole.
Atul Londhe, chief spokesperson of Congress said that blank A and B forms were sent to Tambe. “It was sent to him on January 9 but Tambe chose to file them on the last day. The party had no objection over his name or of his father as it was the family’s decision,” he added.