Congress moves against Thopte for his anti-Pawar statements

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee has asked former dairy development minister Anantrao Thopte to show cause for his 'baseless allegations' against party leader Sharad Pawar.

On September 2, Thopte, who functioned in Pawar's cabinet, had lambasted the Maharashtra strongman for privatising farmer's co-operatives which, he claimed, rendered many farmers jobless. He criticised Pawar's style of functioning, and alleged that the former chief minister helped criminal elements take over the co-operatives.

"Thopte is trying to settle personal scores with Pawar," a senior party leader said, "The Congress is staunchly opposed to such antics. It is utterly irresponsible of Thopte to air his criticisms in the open when he could have very well raised it during party meetings."

"The MPCC president has taken strong exception to Thopte's irresponsible behaviour," added the party's official spokesperson, Dr Ratnakar Mahajan.

Compiled by Prasanna D Zore from the Marathi media