Unrest in Maharashtra Congress as demand to remove Patole grows

According to sources, Patole’s “autocratic” working style and “non-responsive” functioning have irked many seniors in the party. There have been complaints about how local leaders were not taken into confidence before organisational decisions were taken for their areas.

Among the leaders who are presently lobbying to replace Patole include two former ministers from Vidarbha region as well as a senior tribal leader. One of the leaders, who returned to Maharashtra on Thursday night, told The Indian Express, “We were in Delhi to meet our senior leaders. Nobody can dictate terms to us. The AICC must take note of the happenings in Maharashtra and take a decision.”

Apart from leaders in Vidarbha, leaders across different regions have voiced unhappiness over Patole’s style of functioning and have relayed their views to the central leadership. Patole had recently gone to Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi amid speculations of attempts to replace him.

Patole’s tiff with Congress Legislative Party leader Balasaheb Thorat had led to the latter offering his resignation from the post. Former youth Congress chief Satyajeet Tambe too had targeted Patole over his decision to opt to contest the MLC polls as an Independent. Patole recently crossed paths with former minister Vijay Vadettiwar from Chandrapur district where he changed the party’s district president without consulting Vadettiwar.

Patole could not be reached for comment, while the party’s chief spokesperson refused to comment on the issue. Sources from the Patole camp said that irrespective of lobbying in Delhi, no leadership change will take place.