After Spying Charge Against Maharashtra Allies, Congress Leader's Retreat

Nana Patole, the chief of the Congress party's Maharashtra unit, said today that he was "misinterpreted" and alleged a BJP conspiracy to create a rift in the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress alliance.

Congress leader Nana Patole's comments accusing his own government in Maharashtra of spying on him has activated another bout of damage control in the state's ruling coalition, and declarations of unity. Nana Patole, the chief of the Congress party's Maharashtra unit, said today that he was "misinterpreted" and alleged a BJP conspiracy to create a rift in the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress alliance. "The Congress is coming back in Maharashtra...have been saying it will be number one party in 2024. The result is BJP is trying to create problems in Maha Vikas Agadi government. But the government will complete its full term," the Congress leader told reporters. He also denied that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had called him for an explanation after Sena leaders complained to him. "I have not heard of any such complaint and if there is one, then I will meet him and give him the full explanation. Our fight is not against the Shiv Sena and NCP but against the BJP," Mr Patole insisted.