As Nagar MP Lanke meets gangster Marne, Sharad Pawar’s NCP says sorry

On his part, As newly-elected Ahmednagar MP Nilesh Lanke, who met Marne during his visit to Pune on Friday, said he was not aware of the Marne's background.

Newly-elected Ahmednagar MP Nilesh Lanke on Friday met history-sheeter Gajanan Marne at his residence in Pune after which Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) was forced to issue an apology. (Express Photo)

As newly-elected Ahmednagar MP Nilesh Lanke on Friday met history-sheeter Gajanan Marne at his residence in Pune, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) was forced to issue an apology.

Describing the meeting between Lanke and Marne as a coincidence and unintentional, Rohit Pawar, the party’s MLA, said,”It was not appropriate for Lanke to meet Marne. I as a party worker want to apologise for this… Lanke has also apologised. Some party workers took Lanke to meet Marne. It was an unintentional meeting. Lanke had no clue who Marne was… Party workers will have to be careful whom they take as our leaders to meet someone.”

On his part, Lanke who met Marne during his visit to Pune on Friday, said he was not aware of the Marne’s background. ”The meeting was a mere coincidence,” he said. Lanke is on a visit to Pune and is meeting various party leaders. His meeting happened after some party workers took him to Marne’s residence. Marne also felicitated Lanke.

As a video of their meeting went viral, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP took a jibe at Lanke. ”Did Lanke meet Marne to express his gratitude for helping him in the Lok Sabha elections? Did Marne help Sharad Pawar led NCP in Baramati and Ahmednagar Lok Sabha election? When Parth Pawar had met Marne, Sharad Pawar had pulled him up. Will Sharad Pawar now reprimand Lanke?” Asked NCP spokesperson Amol Mitkari.

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