Crisis in Cong city unit: Leaders slam Patole’s ‘autocratic’ style’

Not just this, Bagwe alleged that in recent appointments of bloc presidents, he favoured those loyal to BJP. He said seniors were never consulted nor taken into confidence. ”Patole has changed the list of names suggested by the local party unit, regarding appointment of 12 bloc presidents in the city. The names were approved by the MPCC returning officer. Like this, he has taken other decisions, too, without bothering to consult party leaders. The party is not functioning as a unit or team. We have slogged for the party’s growth for years, and despite difficult times, we have remained loyal to the party.”

Bagwe added that he had earlier complained to senior party leaders like Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan about Patole’s style of functioning.

Another senior leader said, ”We are upset with the way Patole functions. He does not follow Congress plans and policies, and the Congress constitution is also ignored. While our alliance partner NCP launches aggressive campaigns and agitations against the government’s failures on various counts, the Congress in Pune city is seen going soft.”

Other seniors who ignored Patole’s presence in the city on Saturday included Mohan Joshi, Sanjay Balgude, Datta Bahirat, Aba Bagul and Avinash Bagwe.

Arvind Shinde, Congress city unit president, said, ”Only some senior party leaders were not present. Balasaheb Shivarkar and Kamal Vyavahare were present. And it’s true that Bagwe was not in town. MLA Dhangekar has rarely attended Congress events after he joined the party a few years ago. Dhangekar thinks he is a brand himself, and has never participated in any Congress agitation against PMC.”

Asked if Congress was divided into two camps as seems evident, Shinde said, ”You can see for yourself… Patole has conveyed that leaders must behave like leaders, and seniors should behave like seniors, or they will suffer the consequences,” Shinde said. He said those who think they are bigger than the party, will be shown their place by people. ”No one is bigger than the party. The party is facing several challenges and we should all work as one team,” he said.

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When asked about the internal turmoil in the city unit, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “It is the party’s internal matter and we will soon resolve it.”