Thakre asks CM to continue his ‘fight against corruption’

State Congress president, Manikrao Thakre, on Thursday appealed to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan “not to buckle under any pressure in his fight against corruption.”

State Congress president, Manikrao Thakre, on Thursday appealed to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan “not to buckle under any pressure in his fight against corruption.”

Thakre was speaking at a party function at the August Kranti Maidan on Thursday.

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‘Many scams came to the fore because of your transparent administration and resolve to fight corruption. We would like you to not buckle under any pressure. The Congress will always support you,” Thakre said at the function organised to mark anniversary of the Quit India movement.

Thakre’s statement follows the truce that was worked out between Congress and Nationalist Congress Party after the latter threatened to pull out of the alliance at the Centre and state accusing the Congress, especially Chavan of targeting the NCP.

The NCP has also alleged that Chavan was helping the Opposition target NCP ministers over various issues. Three NCP ministers—public works minister, Chhagan Bhujbal, water conservation minister, Sunil Tatkare, and minister of state for transport, Gulabrao Deokar, —was under fire from the Opposition over allegations of corruption or irregularities.

Thakre’s appeal to Chavan assumes further significance in the wake of Chavan’s reported complaint to the party high command that the state Congress president was instigating party legislators against him.

Last month, a letter signed by 42 Congress legislators expressing unhappiness over Chavan’s functioning, was in circulation and the Chavan camp accused Thakre of the same.

Following this, Thakre had to clarify that he had nothing to do with the letter.

Chavan’s aides alleged that some legislators were unhappy because the chief minister had refused to accept any request for personal work or favours to individuals.

In his speech at the venue after Thakre, Chavan avoided making comment on Thakre’s suggestion.