Did our best to quell rebellion, don’t rule out BJP hand: Balasaheb Thorat

He was responding to queries on the Congress leaders’ rebellion in the city and state after not getting tickets to contest the Assembly polls. However, not taking the rebellion lightly, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had said on Thursday that all party rebels contesting against the official candidates of Maha Vikas Aghadi have been suspended for six years.

In Pune, city Congress president Arvind Shinde had also told The Indian Express that firm action was being taken against those who have defied the party in the city and had referred to Congress leaders Aba Bagul, Kamal Vyavahare and Manish Anand who have filed their nominations as independents for the upcoming Assembly elections after being denied tickets by the party.

According to Thorat, MPCC chief Nana Patole had spoken to most of the rebels at least five times. “There are several competent candidates and clearly most are extremely capable to lead their constituencies. We have tried to convince them (the rebels) several times and left no stone unturned to ensure there is no rebellion. However, failing to comply has led to stringent action,” he said.

Meanwhile on queries asked about UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s recent statement, ‘Batenge to Katenge’, Thorat said the BJP is well known for creating divisions over issues like religion and caste and added “Bahut galat tarike se BJP prachar kar rahi hain (The BJP is engaging in an inappropriate campaign.) He expressed disappointment over the crass nature of poll speeches, noting the lack of discipline, development-based politics. “We have even complained to the EC about some misleading advertisements,” Thorat said.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will also be campaigning for candidates in Mumbai, Pune and other cities soon, he added.