Sharad Pawar told Satej Patil not to leave counting centre during Gokul poll count

Kolhapur: Congress leader Satej Patil has recalled an episode from the Gokul Milk Union election. According to him, Nationalist Congress Party senior leader Sharad Pawar phoned him during the counting. Patil said he still remembers the advice Pawar gave him then.

Patil was speaking in an interview. He said Pawar had told him not to leave the counting centre.

According to Patil, the Gokul count was under way and the result was delayed. It was during this time, between 4 pm and 5 pm, that Pawar called. Patil had reached the counting centre on a motorcycle. Pawar phoned and asked what was going on there.

Patil said he told Pawar there was some disorder at the centre. Pawar then gave one key instruction: do not leave the counting centre until the entire count is over and the result and the certificate of victory are in hand. Patil said he told Pawar that he would step out only after the whole process was complete.

In the Gokul Milk Union election, Patil's panel won 13 seats. The BJP-led Mahayuti got 12 seats. The state government then appointed four directors and gave them the right to vote. A dispute then arose over the election of the chairperson. The matter is currently pending in the High Court.

In the same interview, Patil was asked about a merger of the two Nationalist Congress parties. He said there was no such possibility. According to him, some discussions may have taken place while Ajitdada was alive, but he does not at all think a merger will happen now.

Patil also alleged that the BJP gains no political advantage unless instability is created within the parties in government. He alleged that the BJP is trying to weaken both the Nationalist Congress Party and the Shinde faction.

He said he is 100 per cent confident that the matter of Sharad Pawar and a merger will not move forward. This is how Patil set out his position on the discussions.