Congress Suspends Local Leaders Over Rebel Nominations

The Congress party suspended Manoj Pradhan and Suresh Patil Khede for six years due to anti-party activities. Despite being asked to withdraw, they contested independently from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency. This move comes ahead of the November 20 elections where Kedar Dighe is the official candidate.

The Congress party has taken decisive action by suspending two local leaders who have chosen to defy party lines. Manoj Pradhan and Suresh Patil Khede, candidates in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi assembly constituency, have been penalized with a six-year suspension for their anti-party activities.

Despite being instructed to withdraw in favor of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance's official candidate, Kedar Dighe, Pradhan and Khede have maintained their candidacies as independents. Their suspension was announced by Thane Congress chief Vikrant Chavan, who cited their actions as detrimental to party discipline.

This internal party conflict arises in the lead-up to the November 20 elections, further intensifying the contest in which the Shiv Sena (UBT) has positioned Dighe against current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the constituency.

(With inputs from agencies.)