Senior Congress leader and Opposition leader in the Maharashtra legislative assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has reportedly offered to resign from his constitutional post on ethical grounds after his son Sujay defected to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last week. The decision is expected to be taken by the party high command soon. Vikhe Patil has, however, denied offering his resignation.

Sujay joined BJP after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) refused to concede Ahmednagar constituency to him. The Congress had demanded exchanging the seat, which was with NCP as per the two parties’ seat-sharing arrangement. Now, the BJP is likely to field Sujay from Ahmednagar.

The defection by his son was an embarrassment for senior Vikhe Patil as the Congress leadership from state and Centre was upset over the development. Party leaders from the state have also been pointing out his cordial relations with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and questions were raised why he went soft on the government in his four-and-ahalf years as leader of the opposition.

According to party leaders, Vikhe Patil offered his resignation to the party high command four days ago. The central leadership is expected to take a call in the next few days.

Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has reportedly discussed the issue with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in a meeting between them on Tuesday in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Congress replaced its Ahmednagar district president Annasaheb Shelar, close confidente of Vikhe Patil, with Karan Sasane on Tuesday. Shelar has joined BJP. Karan is the son of Jayant Sasane, who was chairman of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, during Congress rule.

First Published: Mar 20, 2019 09:43 IST