Cong8217;s PVA guests served notice

When contacted by media-persons here today, Chhajed said 8220;I have issued show cause notices to some of the PVA corporators who are reportedly participating in the Congress convention8221;. He refused to spell out the number of partymen who were served notice. Chhajed, however, dismissed the reports that 19 partymen had gone to Nashik to participate in the Congress meet.

According to reliable sources, 11-15 PVA corporators have been slapped with the notice. Majority of them include those who had held talks with senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar on April 26.

It may be noted here that 11 PVA corporators including Ajit Apte, Ramdas Pawar, Shailaja Khedekar, John Paul, Mukari Algude, Sheela Raut, Damu Kumbre, Suman Mathwad, Chandrakant Kate, Shashikala Kumbhar and Batul Kazi had called on Pawar expressing their willingness to rejoin Congress.

Chhajed also admitted that this was the second time he had issued a show cause notice to PVA men. The earlier one had been issued for holding talks with Pawar.

Sources said that besides those who had called on Pawar, there was another group of six to eight PVA members who are also willing to join the Congress. However, they were waiting for the right opportunity and are currently sitting on the fence.