We will take only select leaders back in party: Anil Deshmukh

Bhandara: Former State Home Minister and NCP (SP) leader Anil Deshmukh has said that leaders from other parties in many assembly segments across the State want to join the NCP (SP). Even those from the rival faction NCP (AP) also want to come back but the party would take back only a select few after a thorough scrutiny.

‘MVA will form the next government in State’

A review meeting of party workers and office-bearers was conducted in Bhandara in the presence of Anil Deshmukh. He instructed party workers from the Tumsar Assembly segment to start preparing for the poll as it is the party’s rightful seat in the district.

Deshmukh said, “The State polls should have been held in October. But the Maha Yuti fears a defeat after a setback in the Lok Sabha elections. As and when the polls are held, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will emerge victorious. The writing is on the wall. We will claim Tumsar in Bhandara district, Tiroda and Arjuni Morgaon in Gondia district during the seat-sharing. We will insist on these seats. Tumsar is our rightful segment, we will not give it up.”

When asked whether he would contest against Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur, Deshmukh merely smiled and said that he did not hear any discussion on the topic and walked away.

‘Government will suspend Ladki Bahin Yojana after the polls’

Deshmukh said, “The State Government has taken out money allocated for tribal welfare in the State Budget and has used it for the Ladki Bahin Yojana. You will get details about these funds from the CEO of the ZP and other officials. It is not the Ladki Bahin Yojana but the Ladki Khurchi Yojana (launched with an eye on power). It will run till the State elections and will be suspended later.”

Rs 50 crore for an MLA in Maharashtra, Rs 100 crore in Karnataka’

He said, “The BJP has bought MLAs with Rs 50 crore each. This has happened in the states ruled by opposition parties in the past 2.5 years. Some of our leaders joined them due to the fear of the ED and the CBI. Inflation is rising. Unemployment is growing. As many as 45 MLAs were bought with Rs 50 crore each. Now, they are trying to buy MLAs in Karnataka with Rs 100 crore each. I have never seen such politics in Maharashtra before.”