Manikrao Thakre drops bombshell, says Raosaheb Danve was in touch with him

Challenging BJP state unit president Raosaheb Danve over his claim that 21 MLAs from the opposition parties are in touch with him, Congress state unit president Manikrao Thakre on Monday revealed that Danve was in contact when he was not made a minister by the BJP.

While addressing a press conference, Thakre said that the protest marches organised by the Congress party evoked encouraging response in all districts of the state. He said that the people have been disillusioned by the BJP-Shiv Sena government's failure on all fronts.

Thakre said that neither farmers nor the common man in urban areas are happy with this government. This government is serving the purpose of a handful corporate houses, he added.

Replying to a question on Danve's statement that 21 opposition MLAs are in touch with him, Thakre said, "Danve should also tell the people that he was in touch with me when the BJP government had not made him a minister."

Thakre said that if at all Danve's claim is true, then he should ask those MLAs to join BJP and see for himself whether they can get elected again. Thakare added that the Congress would ensure their defeat.

'No differences'
Thakare said that there is no difference of opinion between Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. He added that since the issues raised by today's protest are about farmers' woos and related subjects, there was no need to hold it in Mumbai. Mumbai unit along with the state unit had recently organised Prerana Yatra to mark the homecoming of Mahatma Gandhi 100 years back.