1 week Ago By Anurag Bende
Pune: Shirur MP Amol Kolhe of the NCP (SCP) on Saturday demanded NCP cabinet minister Dilip Walse Patil ’s “explanation” for the Friday clash between the supporters of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar , which unfolded before the minister at Bhimashankar sugar factory in Ambegaon tehsil. The situation had turned tense after former chairman of the sugar factory Devdatta Nikam, a supporter of Sharad Pawar, was prevented from entering the stage allegedly by the supporters of Walse Patil, leading to the clash between the supporters of the two groups. Kolhe said, “No member of the factory was allowed to speak during the annual general meeting.
Nikam is the former chairman of the factory and everybody knows his contribution. But the way he was insulted at the meeting is quite unfortunate. Some goons, who had no business at the meeting, were present at the venue and created a ruckus.
It all unfolded in front of the cooperative minister (Walse Patil). He should, therefore, give an explanation on the whole issue.” Ambegaon tehsil comes under the Shirur constituency.
NCP (SCP)’s Kolhe had defeated NCP’s Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil in Shirur in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year. Political observers said with the assembly polls expected in the next few months, NCP (SCP) is looking to put a major fight against Walse Patil in the Ambegaon constituency, and Nikam is one of its key aspirants for the seat, which is held by Walse Patil. “Nearly a year back, the same minister had criticised BJP over its handling of the cooperative sector.
After the Friday’s incident, however, there appears to be a 180-degree change in his stance. The minister should explain who was distributing stickers of the ‘clock’ symbol during the factory’s meeting and who had brought the goons at the venue. If he does not say anything, it will suggest that he supports all these things, which took place in his presence,” Kolhe said.
The Ajit Pawar-led NCP countered Kolhe’s claim and blamed Sharad Pawar supporters for the ruckus. NCP’s ex-MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil said, “The Bhimashankar sugar factory has earned a good reputation in the cooperative sector, but such incidents are unfortunate. It is a farmers’ factory, and has already performed with utmost transparency without spolitics.
It is not good to use the platform to settle political scores.” When asked about the treatment to Nikam at the venue, Adhalrao Patil said, “Being the director, he was well aware of the decisions taken by the board of directors in the meeting. He still tried to play politics, which was unfortunate.
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