Nagpur: In a sensational revelation, Vikas Thakre, President of the Nagpur City Congress and West Nagpur MLA, stated that during the Lok Sabha elections, some Congress leaders from Nagpur preferred to stay at home instead of campaigning due to phone calls from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, media reports said.
He was speaking at an event organized by Congress workers in Nagpur.
“These Congress leaders would campaign for the party during the day and communicate with Nitin Gadkari at night,” Thakre claimed. Vikas Thakre had contested against Nitin Gadkari in this year’s Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency elections, where he faced a defeat by over 100,000 votes. Now, a few months after the Lok Sabha elections, Thakre has made shocking allegations against local Congress leaders.
According to him, some Congress leaders in Nagpur remained inactive during the Lok Sabha elections due to phone calls from Nitin Gadkari. He mentioned that some leaders would accompany him throughout the day but would talk to Nitin Gadkari over the phone at night. “We have a list of all these leaders. We know who worked during the Lok Sabha elections and who did not. However, I have forgiven them all. But now, I will keep an eye on all of them during the Assembly elections,” Thakre stated. He demanded that anyone betraying the official candidates of the party should be shown the door.
“In Nagpur, while seventy of us have sought the party’s nomination, only six will be granted it. Those who receive nominations need the support of everyone,” Thakre said, issuing a stern warning to potential rebels. He cautioned leaders in the Congress who are considering standing against the official candidates, urging them to think carefully before making their decisions.
Now, it remains to be seen whether Congress State President Nana Patole and the high command in Delhi will take any action regarding this situation.