Mumbai: Union Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has succeeded in winning over former rival Shivajirao Patil Kavhekar and the latter is likely to quit BJP and join Congress soon.
"Deshmukh visited my residence at Latur two days ago and
offered me to join Congress. My supporters have given a nod
for the same," Kavhekar, who trounced Deshmukh in the 1995
Assembly polls from Latur, told an agency over phone.
Asked if the date of his joining Congress has been
finalised, Kavhekar, who as a Janata Dal candidate defeated
Deshmukh by over 30,000 votes in the historic 1995 poll
battle, said "I will take a positive decision within a few
days."
"I have filed nomination from both Latur urban and rural
seats and would withdraw them tomorrow," Kavhekar said.
Deshmukh`s son Amit is contesting from Latur city on Congress
ticket.
Kavhekar quit NCP and joined BJP six years ago. "BJP
general secretary Gopinath Munde, at whose instance our leader
joined BJP, has ignored him," a close aide of Kavhekar said.
Bureau Report
