Was not invited for swearing-in, but good wishes to my 'friend': Congress leader Nana Patole

Nana Patole. File Pic

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday claimed that he was not invited for the oath taking ceremony of new Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but said he expects his "friend" to work for the overall development of the state, reported the PTI.

Nana Patole listed his own expectations from the BJP-led government and these included announcement of a loan waiver for farmers.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his two deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath on December 5 (Thursday) at a grand ceremony in Mumbai, ushering in the Mahayuti 2.0 government.

Farmers protest at Shambhu border

1 week agoWEBSTORY

Nana Patole, speaking with reporters in Nagpur, maintained he did not get any invitation about the oath ceremony otherwise he would have attended the event.
"However, my friend has become the chief minister and good wishes to him," he said, according to the PTI.

Both Nana Patole, a former BJP MP, and Fadnavis hail from the Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra.

Notably, no major leader from the opposition, including Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and Patole, were present at the swearing-in ceremony in the Azad Maidan.

Nana Patole said he expects the new government to tame inflation, resolve issues faced by farmers and youths and fulfil promises made to soyabean and cotton farmers.

The Congress leader said he hopes under the leadership of Fadnavis, Maharashtra progresses at fast pace in the next five years.

Nana Patole asked the chief minister to stand firm on his assurance of not allowing contract-based recruitments in government and fill nearly 2 lakh vacant posts in different departments.

He also demanded more Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses for rural areas of the state.

Nana Patole said the Fadnavis government should improve the law and order situation in Maharashtra and make it a drugs-free state.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said that he had been invited to the swearing-in of the new BJP-led government in Maharashtra, but could not attend the ceremony as the Parliament session is underway, reported the PTI.

"I received a call from the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis). He himself called, but as the Parliament session is underway, I told him it was not possible for me to leave the session. But I extended my best wishes to the government," said the veteran leader, a four-time CM himself.

(with PTI inputs)