Pune, March 16: Maharashtra's new break-away wrestling organisation has turned into Frankenstein's monster for its founder members, with the Maharashtra Wrestling Federation, under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, issuing notice to the members that their membership will be cancelled if they attend the session of the new organisation in Sangli.Some of the senior members of the federation, while talking to The Indian Express said that the newly formed organisation will not be recognised by the All India Wrestling Federation. They also criticised Sambhaji Pawar, Ganpatrao Andalkar and Shripatrao Kanchnale for their secession.Wrestlers from Kolhapur, whose names were declared as members of the new organisation, have denied any relation. Rustam-E-Hind Dadu Chougle said that he has nothing to do with the new organisation. He also added that he has been associated with the Maharashtra Wrestling Federation since a long time.``This federation, under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, has done a good job. It has provided many wrestlers with all type of help, including me, so there is no question of going with the secessionists,'' said Chougle. Maharashtra Kesri Laxman Wadar, Ram Mane and Banda Patil have issued the statement that though their names were being announced as members of the new organisation, they are still members of the Maharashtra Wrestling Federation.Meanwhile, the Kolhapur District Talim Sangh and Kolhapur City Sports Organisation have also opposed the new organisation. Vasant Sangwadekar and Baliram Pawar claim that all the allegations made against the Maharashtra Wrestling Federation are false, saying that it was only this federation that has been the main factor behind the penetration of wrestling into all parts of the state. Pawar added that the federation is ready with a `Pretending Program' for wrestlers for the next few months. Baliram Pawar and Sangawdekar added that the secessionists are only harming the wrestlers by creating a negative atmosphere.The new founder members, however, do not agree. ``The federation should declare what it has done in the past 30 years for the wrestlers?'' asks the president. Shripatrao Kanchanale, Sambhaji Pawar, Ganpatrao Andalkar and Dinanath Singh say that they will not go back on their stand, even though they are being pressurised by Sharad Pawar and Balasaheb Landge.They also pointed out that, in the last 28 years, not a single `Hind Kesri' title has been won by any Maharashtrian and claim that this is the outcome of the lax attitude of the federation, dispiriting the wrestlers. Ganpatrao Andalkar added that no politics should be involved in this issue, ``We have nothing to do with politics. All that we want is to give a helping hand to the wrestlers.''The members of the new organisation expressed their confidence that the first session of the organisation will be a success and will be attended by wrestlers from all parts of Maharashtra.
