Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna chief Raju Shetti has alleged that BJP is trying to split his party by asking his party workers to contest election on their ticket. Of late the relation between Shetti and Sadabhau Khot has strained as the former was unhappy with Khot’s son Sagar being issued ticket to contest municipal council polls. Both leaders have been issuing statements against each other. On one hand, Raju Shetti says that BJP is trying to divide the party on the other hand, Sadabhau Khot shares good relation with the saffron party.
Raju Shetti is unhappy with the functioning of BJP and said, “The BJP has been sidelining smaller parties like Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana. Therefore leaders and activists from our party have expressed their displeasure over this issue. BJP is in close touch with some leaders of our party. They are trying to split our party by trying to lure our party workers.”
MoS for agriculture and horticulture marketing and textiles, Sadabhau Khot said, “During elections party workers often shift loyalties if they are denied tickets. Horse trading activities are rampant during polls. This doesn’t mean that BJP is trying to create rift within our party. The relations between both the parties have been strong since the reign of Gopinath Munde. It is a strong bond and won’t break. We will join BJP for campaigning for the municipal council polls.”
“This government is going to last for five years and there is not threat to its instability. If there is any dispute then it can be resolved by having a dialogue with the government. We are also interacting with farmers and trying to address the problems faced by them. We are providing them guidance. Right now, I am focused on campaigning for municipal corporation election,” he added.
Raju Shetti also alleged that Sadabhau Khot is likely to quit the ministerial post. Shetti is unhappy after tickets were issued to Sadabhau Khot’s son Sagar Khote for contesting municipal council election.
Raju Shetti said, “The BJP has not done any favour by making Sadabhau as minister. If Khot continues to remain with BJP then he won’t get his due. Party workers had asked Khot to induct his son Sagar into politics to give tough fight to another leader whose son is contesting the municipal election. However I have expressed my strong disapproval for the same.”
On the other hand, Khot refuted all the allegations made against him as baseless. He said, “Our party will support BJP at the centre and state for five years. My son is a capable leader and he will prove himself and work for the welfare of the masses. Nobody should question his credibility. I have inducted him into politics as party workers asked me to do so.”
