Cong city unit chief flays KasbaMLA for ‘pushing own agenda’

Pune: Infighting in the Pune unit of Congress refuses to die down with a section of workers led by city chief Arvind Shinde complaining to seniors against Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar for allegedly promoting his own agenda rather than give importance to the party’s core ideology in the run up to the state polls. It may be noted that the differences between the two factions had started before the Lok Sabha elections. Recently, members of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) held a review meeting in Pune to discuss party activities in west Maharashtra — ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.

The meeting was chaired by party’s state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala. Shinde and his supporters put forth the complaint that Dhangekar was not participating in party work actively. They said if the MLA was not serious about working for Congress, the committee should consider changing the candidate for Kasba assembly constituency.

When approached, Shinde refused to name Dhangekar, but confirmed that complaints against ‘some’ Congress officebearers had been raised before MPCC members. He said, “I do not want to take anybody’s name. However, we have voiced our concern and requested that the committee review aspiring candidates’ participation in party work over the last few years.

Those absent for even 50% of the party’s events should not get a ticket.” Shinde further said, “There are ‘some’ members who are busy pushing their personal agenda and are not promot.