BJP's Parinay Fuke claims Rohit Pawar will join Congress within six months

BJP leader Parinay Fuke has claimed that Rohit Pawar, MLA of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), will join the Congress within the next six months. Fuke made the remark at a press conference called in Nagpur, where he also levelled serious allegations against Pawar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

According to Fuke, an internal tussle over leadership is under way between Rohit Pawar and party MP Supriya Sule. He alleged that Pawar is using the agitation by students of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) to keep his place in his own party and to please Rahul Gandhi.

On the students' demands, Fuke said 12 of their 13 demands have already been accepted at the Chief Minister's level. He said the government has taken a positive stand on them. Fuke also claimed that seeking the resignation of the MPSC chairman is not within the state government's powers and that the decision lies with the President.

Fuke alleged that Rohit Pawar is misleading the students and provoking them into agitation. He claimed that the agitation will continue until Rahul Gandhi arrives at the protest site, and that it will be wrapped up as soon as he gets there.

Fuke said at the press conference that Rohit Pawar would then move to the Congress within six months.

Fuke also criticised Rahul Gandhi's stand on agitation and his allegations of irregularities in the voter list. He alleged that Gandhi's agitation is meant to malign the country. Making a serious charge, Fuke said India's economy is growing rapidly and that Gandhi is working to keep foreign investment out of the country. He further alleged that "urban Naxal" forces are behind Gandhi, and he also called Gandhi an "urban Naxal".

Political circles are now watching for the response of Rohit Pawar and the Congress to Fuke's claims.