‘Mushtaq Antule joining NCP underlines the fact that Ajit Dada’s decision does not deviate from secular ideology’
Mumbai – In a befitting reply to the critics, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) State President and MP Sunil Tatkare said that many people including Mushtaq Antule are joining hands with the NCP, thereby underlining the fact that Ajit Pawar’s decision has not at all deviated from the secular ideology. He was speaking during the NCP manifesto launch in Mumbai on Monday. Senior Congress leader and former MLA Mushtaq Antule officially joined the Nationalist Congress Party.
Sunil Tatkare further said that Mushtaq Antule will campaign in Raigad Lok Sabha constituency, but when people come to know that he is campaigning with Ajit Pawar across the state, it will definitely change the political narrative in the state.
A false narrative that the minority community is dissatisfied with the NCP is being created. However, Tatkare stated that the party is following the legacy of Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar’s ideologies.
Describing the visionary leadership of former CM Barrister A.R. Antule, Tatkare said that the post of Minister of State was created for the first time in Maharashtra due to Antule. The first loan waiver in the country worth Rs 7 crore was implemented by Antule. He also gave permanent residences to MLAs. He also worked towards strengthening the position and protocols for legislators.
“I have known Mushtaq Antule for a long time. We have been friends from the time I used to go to meet Antule Saheb with my father. Barrister Antule strengthened the Congress party. He worked with Indira Gandhi and created a place for himself nationally. But despite all this, I don’t know why the Congress did not give him the respect he deserved,” said Tatkare. He further added that had Congress decided to use Mushtaq Antule for its growth it would have definitely helped the party.
“I decided to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to support the alliance that has come together for the development of Maharashtra,” said Congress MLA Mushtaq Antule.
“After years of working within the Congress and discussions with Sunil Tatkare, this moment was bound to arrive. It happened today, on April 22. I have observed the work done by Sunil Tatkare and Aditi Tatkare in Srivardhan and it was evident that all the schemes envisioned by Barrister Antule were being implemented by both of them,” Antule added.
Mushtaq Antule also mentioned that after Barrister Antule, the people of Raigad saw the firm leadership in Sunil Tatkare which made him more confident about joining hands with the NCP.
Antule further added that he is thrilled to join the NCP as he can now support the development works that are going on in the state. He further appealed to the people that the opposition too would invoke Antule Saheb’s name, but we all have to come together and elect Sunil Tatkare without falling prey to the propaganda created by the opposition.
“Raigad has seen the development that Sunil Tatkare has done and so there is no doubt that he will be re-elected,” said Antule.
Along with Mushtaq Antule, Adv. Vilas Naik also joined the NCP.
Senior leaders and dignitaries including National President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajitdada Pawar, National Working President MP Praful Patel, State President MP Sunil Tatkare, Senior Leader and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Anil Patil, Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde, Women and Child Development Minister Adititai Tatkare, Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Narahari Jhirwal, State General Secretary Shivajirao Garje,
Women Regional President Rupalitai Chakankar, Mumbai Divisional President Sameer Bhujbal, YB Trivedi, Chief Spokesperson Umesh Patil, Youth Regional President Suraj Chavan, Baba Siddiqui, Regional Vice President Pramod Hindurao, Regional Spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare, Regional Spokesperson Anand Paranjape, Regional General Secretary Najeeb Mulla, Mumbai Working President Narendra Rane, etc. were present at the event.