Maharashtra Congress kicks out rebel Satyajeet Tambe for six years

MUMBAI: Four days after suspending veteran Congress leader Sudhir Tambe over the Nashik graduates constituency nomination scandal, state Congress president Nana Patole on Thursday suspended his son Satyajeet for six years for anti-party activities.
On the other hand, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP decided to support independent candidate Shubhagi Patil for the Nashik seat and Congress nominee Sudhakar Adbele for the Nagpur teachers constituency.
Satyajeet, a former state Youth Congress chief, reacted sharply. “My contention is that before suspending me, AICC should have heard me. Throughout my political career, I have relentlessly worked for the party,” he said.
The Congress central leadership had backed Sudhir Tambe, who has been representing the Nashik graduates constituency since 2009, again for the election (see box). However, on the last day of filing nomination, Sudhir Tambe did not submit his papers; son Satyajeet did, as an independent candidate.
The Congress decision to suspend the Tambes is being viewed as a major setback for veteran Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, who has strongly supported his brother-inlaw Sudhir Tambe and his son for well over 25 years despitestrong opposition from local Congress leaders. There was afeeling that since Satyajeet had worked closely with Rahul Gandhi, he might escape penal action. But the central leadership asked Patole to issue Satyajeet’s suspension order with immediate effect.
In the other development, following a meeting of MVA leaders — Patole, NCP’s Jeetendra Awhad and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve — it was decided to support Shubhangi Patil, formerly of BJP who called on Uddhav Thackeray a few days ago, in Nashik, and Congress’ Sudhakar Adbele in the Nagpur teachers constituency. N G Ganar will be the BJP nominee in Nagpur but the party is yet to decide on Nashik.
Balaram Patil will be the MVA candidate in Kokan and Vikram Kale in Aurangabad. “We have unity, MVA will win all five seats,” said Patole.
Speaking about the Tambes, a senior Congress leader said it was a foregone conclusion that Satyajeet had made up his mind to contest as an independent if the AICC did not nominate him from Nashik. Now, it appears that since BJP has not fielded a candidate, Fadnavis may announce support to Tambe. A month ago, Fadnavis had showered praise on Satyajeet, saying the powerful and effective leader had been sidelined in Congress, BJP will pick him at an appropriate time.
Sudhir Tambe was suspended from Congress soon after the nomination scandal. Former CM Ashok Chavan had said the Tambes were given a blank authorisation form and it was left to them to decide whether father or son would be the official Congress candidate. Surprisingly, neither signed up as Congress candidate.