Khot not keen to form new party, warns SSS chief Shetti
After being sacked from Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghatana (SSS), Sadabhau Khot, minister of state (MoS) for agriculture, has criticised SSS chief and MP Raju Shetti vociferously and threatened to expose him.
Khot has also began meeting his supporters across the state to strengthen his own position and network. However, he rejected any possibility of forming his own new party.
Khot was sacked from the SSS last month and Shetti too had pulled off support from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
While addressing a rally in Walva tehsil of Sangli district on Saturday, Khot had warned Shetti and the SSS not to challenge his position in the government and not to malign his image. “I am a very simple and straightforward farmer. I know tit for tat. If you try to malign me, I will expose you in public,” Khot warned.
Shetti’s supporters have tried to defame Khot as ‘anti-farmer’ leader and follower of BJP and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Shetti had also blamed Khot with forgetting his duty towards farmers and claimed that though he is the minister of agriculture, Khot had not stopped loss of farmers during their recent statewide agitation.
“I have never been against farmers and I have always tried to bring policies which are in favour of farmers and not a part of the sugar lobby,” Khot claimed.
The minister added that he is the representative of farmers and of sugar mill owners. “People know who favours the sugar lobby and I will expose it if supporters of Shetti do not keep their mouths shut,” Khot said.
Meanwhile, Khot is planning to meet his supporters across the state. There will be gathering of his supporters in each district to organise them under one roof. However, according to Khot, he will not form any new Sanghatana immediately.
“The final decision will depend upon opinions of my supporters,” he added.