Netas back Dhanorkar, Rahul & Priyanka to campaign in Chanda

Chandrapur: Putting the controversy over finalizing the party candidate from Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency to rest, leaders from Congress, NCP, RPI, PRP and other partners in the grand alliance stood united with candidate Balu alias Suresh Dhanorkar on Monday.
In a major boost to the prospects of the alliance candidate, Congress national president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi have decided to campaign for Dhanorkar, who quit Sena and joined the Congress.

Congress deputy leader in assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, claimed that Dhanorkar’s name was finalized on the basis of winnability. He ruled out the possibility of Teli community being displeased with the change of candidature of Vinayak Bangde after announcing his name and claimed that there are only a handful of leaders from the community who are raking up the issue on social media.

The party high command had earlier announced the name of Vinayak Bangde, a Teli candidate from Chandrapur. However, his name was overruled and former Sena MLA Suresh Dhanorkar’s name was finalized following the intervention of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

Wadettiwar informed that Priyanka Gandhi will address a public rally, while Rahul Gandhi will hold a road show. Dates of their campaign in Chandrapur will be finalized soon.

Replying to query about factionalism in the party, Dhanorkar exuded confidence that disgruntled leaders would come together and help him win. “Senior party leader Naresh Puglia has remained my guide for last many years. Thanks to his advice I was able to win assembly election from Warora. Once again, I have called upon Puglia for help and he has agreed to extend his helping hand,” he said.