Farmers Movement Archive

Cong no. 4 in state, will take it to top soon: MPCC chief Patole

Nagpur: Newly-appointed Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Nana Patole has set his sight on making the party numero uno in the state. Interacting with the media here after taking over the reins of the grand old party in the state, the former assembly speaker candidly admitted that Congress was at number four at the moment and he would be making all out efforts to take it to the top in quick time. “Our focus would be on introducing the younger generation to the party and entrusting them with important responsibilities to reach maximum people. This doesn’t mean that we will discard the old and loyal faces. My immediate priority would be inter-party polls in April for various positions. Afterwards, I will take a review of all ministries under Congress and make their report card. The concerned persons will be given feedback with suggestions on removing discrepancies.” Echoing power minister Nitin Raut, the Sakoli MLA clarified that Congress’s stand on granting concession in power bills to Maharashtra citizens was clear from the beginning. “We want to work for the common people. The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had enforced lockdown forcing the people to stay indoors citing Covid-19 pandemic, which led to jump in the bills.” Accusing governor BS Koshyari of “murdering democratic values”, Patole, who would be officially taking charge on February 12 at Mumbai’s August Kranti Ground, said though the Maha Vikas Aghadi cabinet had duly recommended 12 names for the legislative council, the former had deliberately not approved them till date. Terming the three new farm laws as “black laws”, Patole said the NDA government had rubbed salt on farmers’ wounds and the protests wouldn’t stop until those were repealed. “I have plans to involve Congress activists and leaders for spreading awareness about adverse effects of these laws across the state. The people are realizing that the PM Modi led government is fast moving towards dictatorship as it’s trying to crush the protests.” Calling the PM’s emotional words in Rajya Sabha as “nautanki”, Patole said he (the PM) shed crocodile tears to gain sympathy. “Why he didn’t replicate it for BJP stalwart LK Advani? The PM said the government was working for the poor farmers, but in BJP’s rule there are only two poor farmers — Ambani and Adani. Many farmers have lost lives during the protest, but no tears came for them from the ‘Natsamrat’,” he said. On his tenure as speaker, Patole said he made history by himself moving a proposal to conduct separate census for the OBCs. “I have also asked the legislature to frame laws for reintroducing ballot paper during election along with EVMs and would be following it up. I never cared for the post and will happily take any ministry and responsibility was entrusted on me by the high command.” Patole speaks * A Big number of Congress leaders and activists would make a gharwapsi * Ready to fight with PM Modi in Varanasi if high commands orders * Will iron out all differences in party and give a chance to new faces * Internal rivalry more in BJP than Congress * There are groups like Gadkari and Fadnavis, Gadkari and Modi and others * Made administration to work during tenure as speaker * No decision made on deputy CM’s or speaker’s posts as speculated

The Times of India

2021-02-11

Nagpur