NAGPUR: Former Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday added political colour to Holi hue with a bold invite to deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar to form a govt without CM Devendra Fadnavis, if they face suffocated under his leadership.
Taking a swipe at the state’s ruling alliance while delivering Holi greetings in Nagpur, Patole suggested Congress is willing to collaborate with Shinde and Pawar if tensions with Fadnavis escalate.
“If Devendra Fadnavis is troubling you, we are ready to stand with you and form a govt together,” he declared, signalling a potential shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Talking to TOI, Patole said, the statement was made in a lighter vein for Holi.
“I made a statement telling them Bura Na Mano Holi Hai. However, if Shinde and Ajit Pawar want to come, we will embrace them,” he said.
State Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal refused to elaborate on Patole’s statement or answer TOI’s query on whether he was on the same page with the former state party chief. “Burra na mano Holi hai. I won’t speak further,” he told TOI.
Speaking to the news channel, Patole criticized Shinde and Pawar for allegedly altering their political approach since aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Earlier, these two leaders prioritized Maharashtra’s development and collaborated across party lines. But after coming under Modi’s influence, they’ve started exaggerating and distorting facts,” he remarked. “I urge them to spurn negativity and focus on welfare of the people,” he added.
The offer comes amidst reports of friction between Fadnavis and his two deputies, fuelling speculation about cracks within the tripartite Maharashtra government.
Not sparing the chief minister, Patole accused Fadnavis of misleading the public with false claims. “My friend Fadnavis has been lying a lot lately. I hope he stops spreading falsehoods and focuses on real issues,” he quipped.
Responding to rumours of internal rifts within Congress, Patole asserted the party remains united and ticket distribution for upcoming elections was handled amicably. He specifically praised senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, calling him “superfast” and encouraging him to accelerate his political efforts.
Responding to Patole’s comments, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule told TOI that Patole should look within. “Maharashtra’s citizens have given a massive mandate to Mahayuti. Patole himself scraped through to win his Sakoli seat. He should strengthen his own party first and play the role of a responsible opposition party,” he said.
In a rare display of appreciation across party lines, Patole commended Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut as an “intellectual powerhouse” whose wisdom continues to shape the state’s political discourse. He also acknowledged former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as a guiding figure, reinforcing the long-standing political ties between Congress and the Sena faction.
Patole’s open offer to Shinde and Pawar not only highlights increasing tensions within Maharashtra govt, but also signals Congress’ readiness to play a decisive role if the state’s political equation changes.
(Inputs from Dhananjay Sable, Akola)