Setback for Congress, Balasaheb Thorat resigns from legislative party post

The resignation exposes a bitter feud that erupted between Thorat and Patole after the recent results of the Nashik Graduates Constituency MLC biennial polls.

Mumbai, Feb 06: Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Tuesday resigned from the post of Maharashtra Congress legislature party leader.

In his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Thorat said that he is unable to work in a "vicious atmosphere where his loyalty to the party has been questioned."

The Congress leader expressed his wish to step down as CLP leader and asked his leader to appoint someone else in his place.

However, Congress state President Nana Patole said he has not received any resignation letter from Thorat. "I wish Thoratji 'many happy returns' on his birthday today and wished him a long and healthy life... However, I have not got any such letter which is claimed. At least he should communicate with us, then we can discuss the issues," Patole told IANS.

The resignation throws light on a bitter feud that erupted between Thorat and Patole after the recent results of the Nashik Graduates Constituency MLC biennial polls.

Notably, Thorat had written to the party's central leadership citing his inability to work with Maharashtra unit chief Nana Patole due to the latter's "anger" towards him, an aide of the former claimed on Monday.

"Thorat, in his letter to the Congress leadership, has expressed inability to work with state president Nana Patole saying if he (Patole) holds so much anger against him, then it would be difficult to work with him. Thorat has also complained of not being consulted while decisions are taken," PTI reported quoting sources.

A feud within the Congress party in Maharashtra has been a recurring issue and has often been a hindrance to the party's efforts to effectively challenge the ruling parties in the state.

Also, Congress is facing its existential crisis, with several leaders, young and old alike quitting the party. The reasons include differences with the party leadership, lack of recognition and representation within the party, and personal ambitions.