Deshmukh responsible for Congress debacle in by-polls: Chaudhari

Jalgaon, Maharashtra, Apr 14 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Legislative Assembly speaker Maduhkarrao Chaudhari blamed Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for the party's rout in the April 9 by-polls to the Jalgaon Lok Sabha constituency, the results of which were declared on Thursday.

Addressing a news conference here last evening, Mr Chaudhari alleged that on the Chief Minister's insistence party candidate Arjun Bhangale got the ticket and he had taken reponsiblity for the latter's victory.

During the campaign tour, Mr Deshmukh should have called a meeting of the party workers at the Congress Bhavan here, he said, adding that instead, he went to meet Suresh Jain, a NCP MLA from Jalgaon, at his residence.

Mr Chaudhari alleged that during campaigning, the machinary was run not from the party headqaurters but from Mr Jain's bungalow.

There are rumours that Mr Jain is likely to join the Congress soon, he said, adding that he was against such a move by Mr Jain.

UNI