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Journalism of Courage
AHMEDNAGAR, JUNE 15: With sugar barons Yeshwantrao Gadakh and Marutrao Ghule supporting Sharad Pawar8217;s Nationalist Congress Party NCP, a split in the Ahmednagar unit of the Congress is complete. The Congress in the district now exists as a feeble force.
Ahmednagar district, a sugar belt, is a known Congress citadel, under the dominance of influential sugar barons-turned-politicians, who owe allegiance to Pawar. This, in the absence of alternative after the demise of veteran Sangli Congressman Vasantdada Patil.After Pawar8217;s expulsion, a quick exodus from the Congress in the district was expected to support the Maratha strongman. Yet, many in Ahmednagar8217;s political think-tank of Ahmednagar were apparently not in a hurry.
Former ministers Shankarrao Kolhe, Babanrao Pachpute, former Union Minister Babanrao Dhakane were among the first few to renounce Congress after the CWC decision to banish the rebel troika.
However, present member of the State Legislative Assembly Gadakh and Dnyaneshwar sugar factory chairman Ghule took an extended wait-and-watch stand. The duo bought time stating that the situation was perplexing8217;. For Gadakh, the reason was purely political. His Mula sugar cooperative is going to the polls on June 17. However, pressured by his supporters in Newasa taluka, Gadakh finally announce his support to Pawar.
Gadakh8217;s statement while launching the factory election campaign on June 9 at Shani-Shinganapur speaks volumes about his exterior gesture and inner soul. He had said that he decided to support Pawar since his supporters wanted him to do so, irrespective of what he personaly thinks. The MLC8217;s statement has ruffled many among the Sonia-loyalists.
Political observers feel the NCP would certainly have an edge over rivals as far as political hustings in Ahmednagar are concerned. This could happen, despite the possibilities of the SS-BJP alliance endeavouring to capitalise the split in the Congress.
Earlier, addressing the Congress workers here on Sunday, Rajya Sabha member Govindrao Adik accused Sharad Pawar of leaving the Congress Party to fulfill his ambition of becoming the prime minister. The Nationalist Congress Party would suffer a rout in the forthcoming elections, he forecasted.
Adik said that even in the past, Pawar had defected from the party for personal gains.
Later, addressing another meeting at Congress House here, Adik predicted that many Congressmen defecting to the NCP would return to the Congress fold very soon. Congress would welcome them, he said.
