Maharashtra Congress leader Ravindra Dhangekar may have rubbished reports that he is all set to join the Shiv Sena but speculations are rife that he has offers from another political party. NCP leader Rupali Patil's invitation to Dhangekar to NCP has stoked rumours that he might be joining Ajit Pawar soon.
Dhangekar sparked rumours of a party shift on Monday when reports began doing rounds that he was leaving Congress for Shiv Sena after he met Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant. He was recently spotted wearing a saffron cloth around his neck, which many interpreted as a move showing allegiance to Shiv Sena. But, Dhangekar rubbished the rumours stating he wasn't leaving Congress and his meeting with Samant was personal.
"I will talk to supporters on why there is speculation about me quitting the party,” he said, adding the action of his supporters may have led to the chatter. Dhangekar was reportedly upset at the way the Congress ignored him while appointing observers in the city for civic polls.
It was Patil's statement hailing Dhangekar that triggered the rumour mills. Patil on Monday called the Congress leader a hardworking and capable public representative. "There are always victories and defeats but a real leader never stops working," Rupali said, adding that she too had heard rumours of him going to "another party."
"You are going to meet party workers to discuss your future plans. We know you have a good relationship with Ajit Dada. As a sister and colleague, I request that a hard-working and capable public representative like you should consider the Nationalist Congress Party," she said.
Dhangekar joined Congress in 2017 after quitting the MNS. He began his career with Shiv Sena led by Balasaheb Thackeray and followed Raj Thackeray to the MNS.
