Pimpri: Maval Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne hit out at his old political rival and BJP’s Chinchwad MLA Laxman Jagtap saying unprovoked criticism from Jagtap serves as a good omen for his political career. Barne said that it is an indication that Jagtap is scared of the support that Barne is getting in his constituency.
Barne reminded that before 2014 elections, Jagtap had targeted him without any reason. “He had challenged me to contest election against him, He even went on saying that if Barne is the candidate, then only he will contest assembly elections. Hence, I contested 2014 election against him and defeated him with the margin of 1.5 lakh votes. Aginst the backdrop of this past, recent unprovoked attack from Jagtap is actually a good sign for me. Thus my win in 2019 elections is now confirmed.”
The city has witnessed a long time political rivalry between these two leaders. They first contested assembly elections in 2009 against each other in which Jagtap got elected by a narrow margin of 6,000 votes. They again came face to face in 2014 elections where Barne emerged victorious with a margin 1.5 lakh.
Barne advised Jagtap that before criticising him for not being loyal to his party, he must introspect about his own past. Just before the Parliamentary elections, Jagtap had joined
Peasant and Workers Party after resigning from the post of NCP MLA. Within six months, he changed his loyalty and joined BJP to take advantage of the Modi wave. Barne claimed that it is unfortunate that politicians with such a track record are speaking about the loyalty of others.
Barne further said, “He has also spoken about my performance in the Parliament, I want him to check my Parliamentary performance on the website of Lok Sabha. At the same time, he must tell the people of the city how many times he spoke in the Assembly in last 13 years. My work is in the public domain and the public will decide my political future. Therefore, I will not give any importance to such unprovoked attack. The statement issued by Jagtap against me shows his amateur approach. Also, this an indicator of the arrogance of money and power.”
