Tupe latches on to Pawar, quits Congress

Tupe’s resignation has not shocked local party circles since his decision to go with Pawar was a forgone conclusion. Tupe, was one of the few leaders in the State, who supported Pawar from day one. Tupe also tried to mobilise support for Pawar among local Congress workers and corporators. He had organised a few meetings of Pawar when he was in the city in last week.

Tupe, a former socialist, came into the limelight when he defeated high flying leader Suresh Kalmadi with a thumping margin of more than 90,000 votes in the last Lok Sabha polls. Sources close to Tupe said he preferred to resign from the party since Pawar was instrumental in getting him the party nomination.

The Pawar camp, is however, worried since Ashok Mohol, member of the dissolved Lok Sabha from neighbouring Khed constituency, is yet to make up his mind. Mohol, a known party loyalist, is said to be reluctant to resign and to side with Pawar.

Mohol has expressed his solidarity with Pawar by attending his meeting last week. However, he arrived at the meeting late and left hurriedly. According to sources, Mohol is under heavy pressure from Congress leaders. The Pawar camp is confident that Mohol would join them.

Another cause for worry is former minister and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Madan Bafna, a staunch Pawar supporter. He has decided to remain in the party. Congress sources said Bafna, former MLA from Maval, is not keen on joining Pawar because of his followers. Apart from Bafna, former MP from Khed Nivrutti Sherkar has refrained from joining Pawar.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders Ramkrishna More and former minister Anantrao Thopte will undertake a joint tour of the district as a damage control exercise this week. Both leaders are expected to conduct meetings of party workers in 13 districts to keep them together.