Maharashtra: Major embarrassment for Congress; Official MLC candidate Sudhir Tambe files nomination as Independent one

Maharashtra Congress is facing a major embarrassing situation with one of its official candidates not filing nomination papers even after the official announcement of his candidature to the election of the Legislative Council from the Nashik graduate constituency.

To add to the embarrassment, the son of an official Congress candidate filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate. Congress leaders were absolutely in the dark when developments were taking place.

An unexpected turn of events has developed cracks in Maharashtra Vikas Aaghadi (MVA) partners – Shiv Sena group of Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar’s NCP and Congress. NCP leader Ajit Pawar has said that he had warned Congress leaders over possible turn events but his alarm was neglected. Sanjay Raut also underlined the need for better coordination among MVA constituents.

State Congress leaders have recommended the expulsion of Dr Sudhir Tambe and his son – Satyajit – for betraying the party. Coincidentally, Dr Sudhir Tambe, the sitting member of the Legislative Council, happens to be the brother-in-law of senior party leader Balasaheb Thorat. Dr Tambe is a three-time MLC, while his son Satyajit – is the former president of the Maharashtra Youth Congress.

Congress leaders were taken aback when they came to know that Dr Suidhir Tambe did not file nomination papers even after giving all the necessary documents. Instead, his son – Satyajit, filed nomination papers as a Congress candidate and also as an independent. Congress leaders did not have any explanation for why Dr Tambe did not file papers. Satyajit, also a Congress leader, did not talk with party leaders before filing nomination papers.

Curiously, BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, did not field any candidate, prompting MVA leaders to attack the ruling parties. Satyajit Tambe had announced that he would meet Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule for support. Bawankule has said that the party would consider supporting him if he approaches the party.

This has further agitated Congress. Two former Maharashtra Chief Ministers Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan had asked the party’s high command to initiate immediate action against Tambes. MVA would now support Shubhangi Patil.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole has blamed BJP for the development. Accusing BJP of an engineering split in BJP, Patole said that the party would send a report to high command. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said it was the responsibility of Congress to keep its house in order. Why should they blame BJP? Senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungtiwar said that the incident shows that nobody was willing to contest as a Congress candidate even after the ticket was allotted.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly praised Satyajit Tambe a few days back, suggesting Congress leaders that they should give an opportunity to young leaders like Satyajit. But Congress leaders took the comments lightly.

Congress has been getting jolts in Maharashtra for the past few years. Current state president Nana Patole resigned from the post of Legislative Assembly speaker after he was given a party position in February two years back when MVA was in power. However, the election to speaker post was not held as MVA was not confident about a majority in the House. As a result, the party had to give up the post.

In June last year, the party’s nominee Chandrakant Handore lost the election to Legislative Council even as three MVA constituents had enough strength for the victory. It was speculated that at least ten party MLAs were indulged in cross-voting.

In the Gram Panchayat elections held in December last year, Congress performed poorly as it stood in fourth position while the state has five major political parties. BJP had emerged as the number one party, followed by NCP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena, headed by Shiv Sena.