Tatkare claims Ramdas Kadam begged at his feet, warns of legal notice

Mumbai: The dispute between Sunil Tatkare and Ramdas Kadam in Maharashtra politics appears to be heating up, with allegations flying from both sides. MP Sunil Tatkare has now made a major claim about Kadam.

Tatkare said that when Narayan Rane left the Shiv Sena, Kadam came to him. According to Tatkare, Kadam held his feet and pleaded with him.

Tatkare said that after Rane left the Shiv Sena, Kadam came to him, and he then took Kadam in his own car to Ajit Pawar. He said Ajitdada was the Leader of the Opposition at the time. Tatkare also challenged Kadam: if all this is false, he should come and say so at the Jagrut temple he believes in.

Tatkare also claimed that after losing the 2009 election, Kadam came to meet him and asked for a ministerial post at the time.

According to Tatkare, he met Kadam at the Ambassador hotel. He said Kadam wanted to join the Nationalist Congress Party and threatened to go to the NCP in order to get the post of Leader of the Opposition.

Tatkare called the allegations made by Kadam completely false and condemned them. He expressed strong displeasure over Kadam's statements and warned that he would send Kadam a legal notice. Tatkare also criticised Kadam over remarks made about Antulay.

Speaking on the dispute, Tatkare made clear that he would now say nothing further about Kadam. He said he has been serving the people for 40 years and that Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar have given him many responsibilities.

Tatkare also said that the issue of a merger of the Nationalist Congress Party is now over.