Congress party in Maharashtra has taken a decision not to initiate disciplinary action against the leader of opposition in the state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil for his repeated scathing attack against the leadership and stern warning to expose wrongdoings of some leaders. Instead, the party has taken a conscious decision to simply neglect him and concentrate on campaigning for the Lok Sabha in the state. Even though Vikhe-Patil is party's star campaigner, he has not been featured in the party's banners or posters, nor has he been given a slot for addressing rallies.
Vikhe-Patil is sulking over Congress party's decision to leave its claim over Ahmednagar seat to Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) when his son Sujay was quite keen to contest it on the Congress ticket. Sujay has now been nominated by BJP as a candidate from Ahmednagar against NCP nominee and its legislator Sangram Jagtap. Vikhe-Patil has already declared not to campaign in Ahmednagar to follow the alliance dharman, but he has been holding parleys with BJP leaders and sympathisers seeking their support to his son.
Speaking to DNA, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Sachin Sawant said, “Vikhe Patil is a leader of the Congress party. What you are hearing are rumours. There is no substance it.”
However, he declined to comment on his involvement in the Congress party's campaign.
Former Congress minister, who did not want to be identified, said that if the party disowns Vikhe-Patil or suspends him citing anti-party activities it will not only give negative publicity to the Congress but also give enough space to BJP and Shiv Sena to criticise. Even if party initiate an action at this juncture he will continue to be a legislator.”
''If Vikhe-Patil joins BJP he may attract provisions of anti-defection law. However, due to the majority of the ruling establishment, the action will not be initiated. If Vikhe-Patil resigns and migrates to BJP, he would not be able to hold a crucial party post without being a legislator as the by-election may not take place due to next assembly poll slated for October this year,'' said the former minister.