Former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Nana Patole launched a sharp critique against the ruling Mahayuti alliance government on Thursday. He accused it of practicing 'selective justice' and political vendetta, highlighting the starkly different treatment meted out to former Congress MLA Sunil Kedar and former state minister Manikrao Kokate.
Contrasting Fates: Kedar vs. Kokate
Addressing the media in Nagpur, Patole posed a pointed question. He demanded to know why Sunil Kedar faced swift action and lost his House membership, while Manikrao Kokate continued to hold a ministerial position for a long time despite serious allegations. "The justice applied to Kedar should also have been applied to Kokate. Why double standards?" Patole asked.
He alleged that Kedar was 'framed in a false case', leading to his disqualification. In contrast, he claimed Kokate was shielded despite two significant incidents being 'on record'. Patole detailed that Kokate was allegedly caught playing rummy inside the legislative House and was involved in a 1995 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) housing quota cheating case where he misused his position. "Yet, he was rewarded with key portfolios and his membership was protected. This exposes the government's true face," the Congress leader asserted.
Allegations of Systemic Corruption and Erosion of Democracy
Patole argued that this disparity reflects a broader pattern by the BJP of using power and money to protect its allies while targeting political opponents. He made a bold claim that nearly 70% of ministers in the current government carry 'tainted reputations'. He further alleged widespread misuse of public funds and protection of legislators through political influence.
Referring to recent orders to register cases against Mangesh Kudalkar for alleged misuse of public funds, Patole demanded similar scrutiny across the entire ruling alliance. "Large-scale irregularities have taken place in the usage of MLA funds. Money was taken without work being executed," he said. He called for a public inquiry to expose how officials were pressured and to uncover the details of this alleged financial misconduct.
On Satav's Resignation and Democratic Values
The Congress leader also commented on the resignation of party MLC Pradnya Satav and her subsequent joining of the BJP on the same day, describing it as 'deeply unfortunate'. However, he framed the larger issue as one concerning the erosion of democratic norms.
"BJP does not accept the Constitution or democratic values," Patole charged. He cited the denial of the Leader of Opposition post as a deliberate example, arguing that historical precedents show the post was granted even with minimal numerical strength. "Numbers are not the issue; respect for democracy is," he emphasized. Concluding on a defiant note, Patole stated that the Congress party would review and correct its mistakes, affirming that "the party's ideology cannot be finished."
