Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Sunday urged party workers to draw inspiration from late Vilasrao Deshmukh`s commitment to Congress, the PTI reported.

According to the PTI, Nana Patole said that the efforts were being made to undermine the ideals of Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu, Mahatma Phule, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

While urging party workers to get inspired by late Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, Patole asked Congress party workers to work towards saving the democracy in India, the news agency reported.

Nana Patole was speaking at an event here to unveil a statue of late Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Nana Patole accused the BJP of working to weaken democracy by splitting opposition parties. Referring to the departure of former CM Ashok Chavan from Congress, he claimed that the party`s state unit has emerged stronger as its one faction has stepped aside, as per the PTI.

“Vilasrao Deshmukh used to say that `Congress is a movement, nobody can finish it`. Young party workers should keep this in mind and start working from today. We have to bring back Congress to power,” he said, adding that there is a need to save the Constitution and democracy in the country, the news agency reported.

Nana Patole claimed that efforts are being made to destroy the ideals of icons like Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu, Mahatma Phule, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Ex-CM Deshmukh`s son and Maharashtra`s Latur city MLA Amit Deshmukh also spoke at the event, underscoring the need for party workers to work for the common people.

“We have to bring back the glorious days of Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantrao Naik, Sharad Pawar and Vilasrao Deshmukh by winning the people`s trust,” he said.

The PTI reported, recalling his father`s deep bond with the Congress, the legislator said once the party had decided to take “action” against him. At that time, Vilasrao Deshmukh had told journalists, `You can remove me from the party but how will you remove Congress from my blood?”

The MLA also scotched speculation about him quitting Congress. “I have told reporters that I am fine wherever I am,” he said, the news agency reported on Sunday.

(with PTI inputs)

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