Patole hints at joining third front

MOVING APART BJP leaders say it is evident that the politician wants to join Congress

Nana Patole, the Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament who has been rebelling of late, has hinted at joining the Third Front. Taking on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP-led state government on the farmers’ issue, Patole complained that none of the leaders of the BJP have consulted him and listened to his grievance.

Patole, who is a MP from Bhandara-Gondia constituency, has dared to criticise even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying Modi does not allow any party member to criticise his policies. Patole has also taken pot shots at Fadnavis over the lacunae in farmers’ loan waiver schemes.

A senior BJP minister said that when Patole challenged Modi, the party leadership was forced to ask him about his discontentment and warned him against speaking in harsh language against any party leader.

“The party leaders ignored his barbs. Had they tried to nip his criticism and put him in his place, he would not have dared to speak against the chief minister now,” a minister told Free Press Journal.

He added that it is evident that Patole has decided on his political strategy and from his moves it is evident that he would soon leave the BJP to join the Congress.

Patole, however, rubbished the allegations made by the minister and said that he is only fighting for the right of farmers. He said that by exposing the lacunae in the loan waiver scheme, he has been made a villain by his party.

“It is my nature to fight for farmers and I will not stop even in the future. But, it does not mean that I will leave the party. In fact, the BJP is distancing from me and forcing me to leave the party.”

He added that he may join third front with Swabhimani Shetkatri Sanghatana and other parties in upcoming future.

“The party leaders ignored his barbs. Had they tried to nip his criticism and put him in his place, he would not have dared to speak against the chief minister now,” a minister told Free Press Journal. When Patole challenged Modi, the party leadership was forced to ask him about his discontentment