Days after Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole alleged that every movement of his was being watched by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, he said that his comments were being misinterpreted and alleged a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to create rift in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on on Tuesday, 13 July.
Patole's comments about fighting the next Maharashtra elections seperately has strenghtened speculations about tensions within the MVA government.
However, in an attempt to douse such speculations, Patole told reporters on Tuesday, "The Congress is coming back in Maharashtra...have been saying it will be number one party in 2024. The result is BJP is trying to create problems in Maha Vikas Agadi government. But the government will complete its full term," NDTV reported.
Congress District Committee Meeting
At a Congress district committee meeting in Lonavala on Saturday, Patole had said, “A few days ago, I had stated that my phone was being tapped (by BJP). They (Shiv Sena and NCP) occupy the Chief Minister's office and the Home Minister's office. Every movement of mine is being monitored.”
Earlier this year, Patole had claimed that his phone was being tapped in 2016-17 when he was a Member of Parliament and the state government was being headed by BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.
Patole added that reports of his activities are given to the CM and Deputy CM by the intelligence department every day at 9 am. Patole alleged, “Where I go for a programme, which event is delayed, and what has changed – all the information is sent to the CM.”
Meanwhile, State Minister Nawab Malik of the NCP said that a record of the movement of ministers and leaders is maintained by the police, besides political events and meetings.
Malik added, "If Patole does not know about the system, he should ask his party's former Chief Ministers Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan," NDTV reported.
Moreover, Patole had claimed, "At a party meeting party President Sonia Gandhi had said, Maharashtra is the land of Congress. It has to be taken back."
He had further said in the meeting on Saturday, “We should not complain, but take inspiration from it and increase our efforts. So that one day, we will be in power.”
He added, “We are in alliance with Maha Vikas Aghadi government. But some people are stabbing us in the back,” news agency ANI reported.
MVA Alliance Is Strong: Congress Leader Balasaheb Thorat
Saying that Congress is being targeted in the state by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Patole claimed, “Our statements are being distorted. Congress will become the number one party in the state.”
Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on rising fuel prices, Patole said, “Many people miffed with our progress in the state. BJP will face consequences of fuel price hike and inflation.”
Meanwhile, in an effort to dismiss Patole’s allegations, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, said, “Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is strong. There is no rift. The alliance will continue to do good work in the state," ANI reported.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar reacting to Patole's comments, saod, "I don't want to talk about minor people. If Sonia Gandhi would have said something, I would have reacted."
(With inputs from ANI and NDTV)
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