Govt land worth Rs 500 crore given to cooperative society for Rs 30 crore, alleges Cong MLC Satej Patil

Kolhapur: Congress MLC Satej Patil on Sunday night alleged that "state govt gave Rs 500 crore worth of land" in Kolhapur to a cooperative society founded by a Jan Surajya Shakti party legislator for just Rs 30 crore.Speaking at a corner meeting, Patil also claimed that Jan Surajya Shakti party fielded candidates in the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections to "cut into Congress votes and protect this land deal". "Prime land worth Rs 500 crore was given away for just Rs 30 crore. When MVA was in power, we decided not to transfer the land. I had plans to build a theatre, ground and parking lot there. I had even asked the Kolhapur civic chief to acquire it for KMC. After govt changed, the land was handed over. To safeguard it, Jan Surajya Shakti party is contesting against Congress," Patil said in a corner meet as part of the ongoing election campaign.Patil referred to a state cabinet decision from last Aug, which allotted 2.5 hectares near Vishwapandhari, along Hockey Stadium Road in Kolhapur city, to Savitribai Phule Mahila Sahakari Audyogik Vasahat Limited — a cooperative society. The land was allocated for setting up an industry run by women, with two govt representatives on its managing body.The cooperative society was founded by Jan Surajya Shakti MLA Ashok Mane from Hatkanangle, who dismissed Patil's allegations. Mane told TOI, "The society first requested the land in 2008. This has nothing to do with elections. The transfer was done under certain terms and conditions, and the land is not worth Rs 500 crore. The price was based on the ready reckoner rate. Govt supports women-led businesses, and these claims are aimed at defaming my party."Although Jan Surajya Shakti is not contesting the KMC election as part of Mahayuti, it has given tickets to rebels from both Maha Vikas Aghadi and Mahayuti. Its president and Panhala MLA Vinay Kore said Patil's allegations stem from Congress "losing ground in the elections".