‘Cong responsible for its candidates’ defeat’
| Date :04-Nov-2019 |
Dr Ashish Deshmukh addressing the meeting. Vasant Purke, Ranjit Deshmukh, Swati Wakekar and others seen on the dais.
Principal Correspondent :
Ashish Deshmukh initiates meet in Nagpur; Vasant Purke most critical of leadership, Vikhe Patil, Harshvardhan Patil
Congress candidates were defeated because of lack of coordination of party’s leadership. This was echoed in the meeting of defeated candidates of Congress from Vidarbha. The meet was initiated by Dr Ashish Deshmukh who was defeated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in recently held State Assembly elections from Nagpur South West constituency. Meeting was held at Ansuyabai Kale hall. Ex-Education Minister Vasant Purke who got defeated from Ralegaon, Shekhar Shende, Satish Warjukar, Swati Wakekar, Amar Warhade, Sanjay Bodkhe, Rajani Rathod along with Dr Ashish Deshmukh hammered the party leadership.
Vasant Purke described the condition of present Congress party as the attractive building having decoration on it but has internal leakage. Because of this leakage Congress suffered a lot. Unless the leakage is closed Congress cannot win the elections, pointed out Vasant Purke. Analysing the reasons of defeat of Congress candidates in Vidarbha, Purke pointed out, “Had the road shows of Priyanka Gandhi been conducted the seats of Congress could have increased.
Her one tour of Vidarbha could have made the difference, said Purke. When Rahul Gandhi had been to Arni and Arvi, he landed at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport but did not come out of terminal building even to wave at his own party workers. Criticising his own party leaders for having loser’s mentality Purke said, “It was inexplicable why the meetings of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi was not organised.” Purke made a scathing attack on Harshvardhan Patil, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil for leaving party for the sake of power. Because of exit polls, Congress leaders lost morale. Purke asked media to remain balanced and roared that Congress would be back soon. The majority on which the parties are trying to bank will not last long and soon the elections would be held again. Considering this possibility Congress workers should start preparations from now. They should forget their internal differences, stop infighting and stand united, appealed Dr Ashish Deshmukh.
At several places Congress workers openly helped the candidates of BJP and Shiv Sena, such elements should be thrown out of party, demanded Swati Wakekar, Satish Warjukar, Amar Warhade, Sanjay Bodkhe. Congress leaders did not take the State Assembly elections seriously. Neither the leaders of Centre and State campaigned for the party candidates nor the district leaders did aggressive campaign. There was no coordination with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) though the mega front was formed.
Dr Deshmukh demands separate body for Vidarbha Dr Ashish Deshmukh demanded separate body of Party for Vidarbha. Dr Deshmukh while addressing party candidates of Vidarbha said, “There is a separate body for Mumbai then why not we have such body of party for Vidarbha. Such body can understand the issue of this region, can plan properly. This will help party to win next time. No party has thought of this particular body and people too will pat on our backs. Vidarbha Congress Party can do so much for the party.