Sadabhau Khot summoned over his role in farmers' protest

Mumbai: The political tussle between farmer leader and MP Raju Shetti and his party colleague and minister of state for agriculture Sadabhau Khot is set to increase in the near future.

Mr Shetti’s party, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS), has formed an internal committee and Mr Khot has been summoned before it by July 4.

“Many party leaders and workers have complained against him. He must clarify his position about his role during farmer's agitation,” Mr Shetti said in Pune on Wednesday.

The SSS’s state executive met in Pune as a result of the ongoing war between Mr Shetti and Mr Khot. It discussed at length Mr Khot’s role in the recent farmers’ agitation.

While there was buzz that he could be expelled from the party on Wednesday itself, close aids of Mr Shetti advised him to restrain from taking any action without giving a hearing to Mr Khot. Therefore, Mr Khot has to give his explanation to the internal committee by July 4.

Mr Khot was under fire recently during the farmers’ protests, which turned political and forced the Maharashtra government to waive off the loans of farmers.

There were allegations from farmers as well as many other corners that Mr Khot tried to break the protest on behalf of the government.

Farmer leader Jayaji Suryavanshi, who first mediated for farmers with the government in a late night meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, was found at Mr Khot’s bungalow in Mumbai the next day. Therefore, the farmers had burnt down Mr Khot’s effigies in all over the state, raising doubts over his role in the mediation. This helped Mr Shetti, who sources said was waiting for an opportunity to corner Mr Khot. It is rumoured that Mr Khot may join BJP soon.