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Journalism of Courage
PUNE, January 28: Senior Congressmen Vitthal Tupe would be taking on Suresh Kalmadi at the forthcoming hustings. The news of the finalisation of his candidature by the Congess card committee in New Delhi caused virtual jubilation at the Congress House premises.
The Congressmen apparently had a cause for jubilation as just a couple of hours before, the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party combine announced its support to Kalmadi’s candidature as an independent nominee.
The 57-year-old Tupe, who started his political careers by participating in the Samyukt Maharashtra Movement, said, “I am indebted to Sharad Pawar and Vitthalrao Gadgil for providing me this opportunity. I will successfully carry on the responsibility entrusted to me with the cooperation of all partymen,” he said at a hurriedly convened meeting of the Pune City Congress Committee.
Even as the news spread in various parts of the city, Congress workers began to throng the Congress House late evening. AICC spokesman Vitthalrao Gadgil arrivedfrom New Delhi and headed straight to Congress House where he remained closeted with Tupe and Joshi. Pawar, who was to accompany Gadgil but was held up in New Delhi, was expected to meet the city office-bearers tomorrow while on way to Satara to launch the Congress campaign in State.
But the signal to unite seemed to have already reached the Congress grassroots here with Tupe’s selection being highlighted as a joint decision taken by Pawar and Gadgil. “The two national leaders took the decision after consulting all local leaders here,” according to Joshi. Elaborating Tupe’s strong points, Joshi said that Tupe was a dedicated activist of the Rastra Seva Dal. A Science graduate, Tupe also held a Diploma in Agriculture.. Elected to PMC in 1974, he went on to become a MLA representing the Pune Cantonment segment in 1978 and further got re-elected in 1980 and 1985.
