Bapat can handle Pune, I don’t want to limit myself to the city, says MP Sanjay Kakade
Against the backdrop of police action against him, Kakade spoke to Hindustan Times.
As per the Court’s instruction, Warje police have filed a land grabbing case against the BJP affiliated MP Sanjay Kakade. Considered to be a close aide of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Kakade has been critical of the local BJP leadership and his cold war with guardian minister Girish Bapat is well known. On the backdrop of the police action against him, Kakade spoke to Hindustan Times.
Q – What is the exact issue behind the case registered against you and has the police started an inquiry yet?
A- It is an old case. The agreement between complainant Dilip More and the firm was signed in the year 2002. Even my company was ready to hand over the 1,000 sq ft flat to the complainant as per the agreement, but he started making more unfair demands. Even we asked More to take possession of the flat which was ready. The agreement was signed in 2002 and the case was filed only in the year 2017. It shows that there is some motive behind it. There are also chances of political conspiracy from the opposition as I am playing an important role to increase the BJP’s base in Maharashtra. We will co-operate with the police during the inquiry and produce all the documents. Earlier also, the police undertook the inspection in the case and found nothing. The police will do the inquiry as per the court’s order and we are confident that we did nothing wrong.
Q- Recently, your comment on the retiring age for party leaders and BJP’s stand had become a talking point among political workers. Is it true that there is a cold war going on between you and guardian minister Bapat ?
A – There is no cold war between me and Bapat. Bapat is the guardian minister and is in charge of Pune city. I don’t want to keep myself limited to Pune city or Pune district. As per the instructions of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, I will look into the entire state and will concentrate on Marathwada and western Maharashtra. I don’t want to keep myself limited only to the city.
Q – You are just three years old in the party? Do you think party’s old workers have accepted you in the party?
A- I am working for the party and the party’s leadership is giving important tasks to me. If the party’s leadership is keeping confidence in my ability and asking me to increase the party’s base, it means I am accepted. I am an MP from the party in the Rajya Sabha. Party members voted for me. Another thing is that our chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and state unit president Raosaheb Danve, who are the party’s senior faces at the state and central level, have accepted me and are giving me important tasks. The party’s senior leaders also supported the march led by me to support the demonetisation decision.
Q – Why are you interested in the state rather than the national level? Despite being an MP, you are more keen about local politics.
A – It is true that I am not comfortable with national politics. I know Maharashtra, Mumbai and Pune very well and have a good understanding about the local issues. It is better to work in the state, but of course I do not want to be limited only to Pune. I have taken the responsibility of the 40 assembly seats where BJP has no legislators right now. The chief minister has instructed me to look at these areas where the party is weak. For Pune, the guardian minister is capable. All eight MLAs are from BJP here.