The former Maharashtra minister and ex-MPCC chief Ranjit Deshmukh, who was re-admitted in the Congress last week, said that he would launch
Dil Jodo
drive in the state to eliminate groupism in the century-old party, on the eve of Lok Sabha elections.
Deshmukh, who was expelled from the party for contesting the Lok Sabha by-poll from Ramtek against the Congress nominee, Subodh Mohite, defying the party dictate, said that such drive to bring togetherness within the organisation, was necessary to regain the Congress glory in the region.
The former Maharashtra minister, who was president of the state unit of Congress twice, pointed out that the party had suffered a major setback in Vidarbha, once the citadel of Congress, in 2004 election because of prevailing factionalism. “I will meet almost all the senior party leaders soon and convince them to fight the ensuing elections together in the interest of the organisation,” he said.
“I met Sonia Gandhi after the party re-admitted me on Saturday. She advised me that I should work in the organisation to minimize the prevailing factionalism and hence such drive is being launched from March 1,” he informed.
Deshmukh had rebelled against the party and formed the Kisan Vikas Aghadi in the state when Congress had given the party nomination to Subodh Mohite from Ramtek Lok Sabha by-elections in 2007. He, however, lost the elections. But was instrumental for the defeat of the Congress candidate.
{{/usCountry}}Deshmukh had rebelled against the party and formed the Kisan Vikas Aghadi in the state when Congress had given the party nomination to Subodh Mohite from Ramtek Lok Sabha by-elections in 2007. He, however, lost the elections. But was instrumental for the defeat of the Congress candidate.
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