Vidarbha leader Jambuwantrao Dhote,who spoke of taking Naxal help if necessary,on Friday tried to meet some alleged Naxals at Central Prison here. On Saturday,however,he put an end to the controversy,saying the issue is closed and that he would follow non-violent ways. Sources said the other parties in the agitation had decided to cold-shoulder him. We cant carry this undesirable baggage on our shoulders. But we dont want to make it look like a rift in the front, said a senior leader of the all-party movement. On Friday,Dhote met in-charge ADGP (Prisons) Hiralal Jadhav and said he wanted to meet Murali alias Sattya Reddy and Arun Ferreira. The officials,however,denied permission. On Saturday,Dhote organised his own dharna programme here and was joined by leaders of many parties. Vilas Muttemwar has,meanwhile,written to Sonia Gandhi protesting against the stand taken by MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre.
