Nagpur: The growing clamour against the top and now defunct Congress stalwarts has created quite an uproar into local party circles. Few days back, speculations were rife that Satish Chaturvedi’s years of ignorance towards strengthening party at local level has prompted Congress high command to decide on his exit. Now it seems another leader from the Congress trio Dr Nitin Raut is on the radar. This turned evident on Friday when giving a rude shock to Dr Raut, the Congress party on Friday admitted ex-IAS officer Kishore Gajbhiye into party fold in presence of Rahul Gandhi.
Insiders believe that since the decision was taken in Delhi with Rahul Gandhi personally welcoming him, it was a clear indication from the party that the Chatruvedi-Raut duo has lost the confidence among their party bosses.
It may be mentioned that Gajbhiye had contested 2014 assembly elections on BSP ticket and had secured 55,187 votes and stood second relegating Raut to third place. Similarly BJP’s Dr Milind Mane had secured 68,905 votes and had defeated Gajbhiye by a margin of over 13,700 votes. In the backdrop of open rebellion by party heavyweights like former ministers Satish Chaturvedi, Nitin Raut and Anees Ahmed, this smart move by MPCC President Ashok Chavan has rattled the trio, particularly Dr Raut.
This situation may put his betenoire and former MP Vilas Muttemwar and his protege city president Vikas Thakre on advantage. Sources said now they will try to scuttle Raut’s ticket in 2019 polls. Already, the factional feud has intensified with party issuing notice to Chaturvedi who in tum has accused Muttemwar as B team of faction.
