Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has resigned as Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Congress president Rahul Gandhi accepted his resignation on Wednesday. However, Vikhe-Patil has not yet resigned from the Congress party. His son Sujay recently left the Congress and joined the BJP on the eve of Lok Sabha polls.

Sujay wanted the Congress party ticket from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha. However, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had refused to concede the seat to Congress. Hence, Sujay joined the BJP and is contesting against NCP MLA and nominee Sangram Jagtap in the constituency.

Vikhe-Patil reportedly campaigned for his son. He was also present at Prime Minister Narendra Modi rally. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan confirmed about Vikhe-Patil's resignation from the post of leader of Opposition. "There are complaints against him for working against the party. He did not campaign for the party despite the party giving him assignment," Chavan said.

Vikhe-Patil was unavailable for comment but sources said that he had informed about his future plans to his supporters on Wednesday. Vikhe-Patil is likely to make his plans public on April 27.

Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar are scheduled to address a joint Lok Sabha campaign rally in Sangamner. Vikhe-Patil had accused the Congress of allowing Pawar to call the shots in Maharashtra. "The Congress leaders from Maharashtra do not have a say in major decisions," he alleged.

Chavan said that they had dissolved the Ahmednagar Congress party committee following the development. Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and Vijay Vadattivar are front runners for the leader of Opposition. NCP has the numbers but sources said that the party is not staking claim to the post in the state Legislative assembly.

POWER PLAY

• Congress’s Ashok Chavan alleged Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil was working against the party  
• Vike-Patil has not resigned from the Congress as yet but is likely to announce his plan on April 27  
• Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and Vijay Vadattivar are front runners for the post of leader of Opposition