Took a step back in Sangli for MVA’s sake: Congress
The Congress took a step backward on the Sangli Lok Sabha seat for the sake of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and not because it was helpless, the party’s Maharashtra unit chief Nana Patole said on Thursday.
The Congress wanted to contest from Sangli but was pushed out of the fray after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray unilaterally declared Chandrahar Patil as its and the MVA’s candidate, resulting in a war of words between the allies.
Addressing a press conference, Patole said the larger goal of defeating the BJP needs to be achieved.
“We are a national party. We are not helpless. We just took a step backward. The situation in the country is one
of despair and it needs to be rectified. Congress workers in Sangli will contribute to the victory of the MVA for the sake of the country,” he said.
Queried about whether the Congress would take action against Vishal Patil, who has defied the party and is contesting from Sangli as an independent, Patol said he would send a report to Delhi and action will be taken as per the decision of the central leadership.
Chandrahar Patil met Patole, Congress legislature party leader Balasaheb Thorat and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan during the day. The three senior Congress leaders were on a oneday visit to Sangli Lok Sabha constituency.
The leaders also attended a rally and urged party workers to support the Shiv Sena (UBT).
“If the Modi government returns to power, there will be no elections in future. The government has tortured [Congress leaders] Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi by calling them to Enforcement Directorate office and making them sit outside for hours,” Patole said.