EX-MLA Ashish Deshmukh has explained his stand on his statements made against Congress Party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Nana Patole. He posted his reply on April 9 stating that he received the notice issued by ex-CM Prithviraj Chavan on April 7. Action by the party leaders to expel him from the party was taken before he could explain his stand.
Deshmukh said that his statements have been misinterpreted to target him as he is a vocal OBC leader and spoke to protect the democratic stand of the party.
Reference to the statement made by Rahul Gandhi referring to the ‘Modi’ surname resulted in getting a court sentence of two years imprisonment and losing membership of the parliament. The reference to Rahul Gandhi’s statement was misinterpreted by the party. “My suggestion to aplogise to the OBC community should be interpreted properly in this context”. The suggestion to Rahul Gandhi was in the interest of the party. Congress has been the party, which always received the support of OBCs, which constitute 54 per cent of the total population of India. If this community is hurt, what is wrong with apologizing?, Deshmukh asked. Rahul Gandhi has apologized for his statements in connection with Rafale and ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’. The suggestion to Rahul Gandhi came to put an end to the matter, which is being used against him. The party has a large number of OBC leaders across the nation, who are doing little for the cause of OBCs. Deshmukh said that he has been working for the welfare of OBCs. The suggestion to apologise was made as a concern for the party and its leader.
With reference to his other statement related to Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole, Deshmukh said, “There is no exigency to explain my statement about ‘Khoka’ related to the MPCC president. I leave it to Maharashtra Congress leaders to interpret in their own ways as they did about my suggestion to honorable Rahulji”.
Deshmukh said that his statements were misinterpreted. It is part of a larger conspiracy against him, who has been questioning leaders for their style of functioning. “By issuing me an unfounded notice, MPCC has insulted the democratic spirit that Congress is known for more than a century”, Deshmukh said in his letter addressed to Prithviraj Chavan, ex-CM and Chairman of the Disciplinary Action Committee, MPCC, Mumbai.