Maharashtra minister Sattar closed-door meet with Chavan raises brows

AURANGABAD: Maharashtra agricultural minister Abdul Sattar held a closed-door meeting with ex-Congress CM Ashok Chavan during an official visit to Nanded on Sunday, setting tongues wagging about the latter still nursing a grudge against the party leadership for the show-cause over his absence during the Eknath Shinde government's trust vote.
Sattar and Chavan told reporters later not to read too much into their meeting. The minister said the Congress veteran and his late father, former Union minister Shankarrao Chavan, had guided him in his political journey and their relationship hadn't changed because of political affiliation.
"He (Chavan) has knowledge and understanding of Marathwada and Maharashtra as a whole. He is well-versed in farmers' issues as well. Besides seeking his blessings, I will seek his guidance as agricultural minister." Sattar, who was with Congress before switching to Shiv Sena, had visited Chavan at his residence soon after attending a review meeting of his department. They spoke for about half an hour in a room where nobody else was allowed, sources said.
Chavan downplayed the buzz surrounding the meeting, saying it was just a courtesy visit by Sattar and that there was nothing wrong in politicians of rival parties interacting with one another.
Chavan, a former CM, told Congress he couldn't attend CM Shinde's trust vote because he reached Mumbai later than scheduled on that day. He later contested claims about him planning to leave the party.