Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole interview: ‘None of our MLAs willfully wants to join BJP. It wants to pressure our leaders and drag them’

As Ashok Chavan quits the Congress to join the BJP, the Congress’s Maharashtra chief says the former CM will only get a minimal role in BJP and that the door is open for his return should he choose to reconsider his decision

Maharashtra Congress nana patole ashok chavan

"Ashok Chavan has leadership skills. But let me tell you, because I have some experience working with the BJP, he will soon be seen sitting on the third row at a press conference," said Nana Patole. (File)

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole addresses the charge by some quarters that Ashok Chavan and other departures from the party have happened due to him. Claiming that the Congress’s voter base has not shifted despite its leaders moving to other parties, Patole also asserted that the party will win the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra. Excerpts from an interview:

Why didn’t you try to stop Ashok Chavan from quitting the Congress?

Ashok Chavan was one of the most senior leaders of Maharashtra Congress. He was part of various committees and also headed some of them, including the one on seat-sharing arrangement. On Sunday, he was part of the core committee meeting and did not speak much. Even after that he waited to meet our in-charge. He neither told us nor the leadership about his problem. Had we known the problem, we would have certainly worked hard to stop him.

Are you the reason that he quit the party?

Story continues below this ad

Me? How? Did I stop him from working? Did I omit his name from any committee? Has he complained against me? No. I repeat, he was the senior most leader of our party and was part of every programme. I think one should not spend time on speculation. Let him give the reason. He has not yet given any reason… We do not want to get into whether he was pressured by Central agencies to switch sides.

Also read | Ashok Chavan joins exit queue, Maharashtra Congress frets about central, state leadership

What will be his role in the BJP?

He has leadership skills. But let me tell you, because I have some experience working with the BJP, he will soon be seen sitting on the third row at a press conference. It was said that (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah would come to induct him into the BJP. But what happened? A two-time Chief Minister was welcomed in the BJP by (Deputy CM Devendra) Fadnavis, (BJP Maharashtra chief Chandrashekhar) Bawankule and (BJP Mumbai unit chief Ashish) Shelar. That’s why I said at the press conference that he should rethink even now if he wants, and choose to come back to the Congress.

What will be Congress’s fate in Nanded after Chavan’s exit?

Story continues below this ad

We will win Nanded, even without Ashok Chavan. Ashok Chavan was big because of the Congress’s support base, and not the opposite. Today, we met corporators from the Nanded Municipal Corporation who came to tell us that they are not joining Chavan.

Also read | Ashok Chavan latest blow, unease grows in Congress over BJP’s blitz, Rahul Yatra timing

Is it true that a few more MLAs will join him?

We are in touch with all our MLAs. I cannot say about those who do not want to fight. But I can say for sure that none of the MLAs willfully want to join the BJP. The BJP wants to put pressure on our leaders and drag them. We have called all the MLAs to Mumbai on February 14 and the Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held the next day. After that, we will have a two-day study camp at Lonavala, where all of us will meet to plan our future strategy.

Is there fear of cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections, and who will be your candidate?

Story continues below this ad

This is an open election. There is no chance of cross-voting. Those who try to do it will be disqualified and barred from contesting elections for six years. The party high command will finalise the candidate from Maharashtra in a day.