A major political controversy has erupted in Kolhapur over a prime land deal, with Congress leader Satej Patil making serious allegations against the ruling state government. The core of the dispute is the allocation of a valuable plot of land to a cooperative society at a price far below its alleged market value.
Allegations of a Sweetheart Deal
During a corner meeting on Sunday night as part of the ongoing election campaign, Congress MLC Satej Patil claimed that the Maharashtra state government gave away land worth Rs 500 crore in Kolhapur for a mere Rs 30 crore. He identified the beneficiary as Savitribai Phule Mahila Sahakari Audyogik Vasahat Limited, a cooperative society founded by Jan Surajya Shakti (JSS) party legislator Ashok Mane.
Patil stated that when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition was in power, they had decided against transferring this land. He revealed his own plans for the site, which included constructing a theatre, a ground, and a parking lot, and had even requested the Kolhapur civic chief to acquire it for the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC).
The Land and the Political Motive
The land in question spans 2.5 hectares near Vishwapandhari, along Hockey Stadium Road in Kolhapur city. It was officially allotted to the women's cooperative society by a state cabinet decision in August of last year. The stated purpose was to set up an industry run by women, with two government representatives on its managing committee.
Patil went a step further, alleging a political conspiracy. He claimed that the Jan Surajya Shakti party fielded candidates in the KMC elections specifically to "cut into Congress votes and protect this land deal." According to him, the party's electoral participation is a defensive tactic to safeguard the controversial transaction.
Denial and Counter-Charges
The allegations have been strongly refuted by JSS MLA Ashok Mane from Hatkanangle, who founded the cooperative society. Mane clarified that the society first applied for the land back in 2008, long before the current political storm. He insisted the deal has nothing to do with the ongoing elections.
Mane explained that the transfer was conducted under specific terms and conditions, and the price was determined based on the government's ready reckoner rate. He defended the move as part of the government's policy to support women-led businesses and accused Patil of trying to defame his party for political gains.
Adding to the defence, JSS president and Panhala MLA Vinay Kore suggested that Patil's accusations stem from the Congress party "losing ground in the elections." It is noteworthy that while JSS is not formally contesting the KMC polls as part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, it has given tickets to rebels from both the MVA and Mahayuti coalitions, further intensifying the political rivalry in the region.
