Right wing leader Bhide enjoying govt patronage: Congress

The Maharashtra government's move to withdraw some cases of rioting against Sambhaji Bhide has vindicated the Congress' charge that the right-wing leader enjoyed patronage of the BJP-led dispensation, a party leader said Monday.

As per an RTI query, the rioting cases withdrawn were related to a demonstration against Bollywood film 'Jodha Akbar' in 2008. However, Bhide remains an accused in the violence at Koregaon-Bhima near Pune.

"The government's move to withdraw cases against Bhide is shocking. The government's special love for Bhide has often been conspicuous. Hence, the government should confer him with 'Bharat Ratna' or 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award instead of merely withdrawing the cases against him," Leader of Opposition in state Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Congress) said sarcastically.

He said the move vindicated the Opposition's charge that Bhide enjoyed the government's support.

Stating Bhide is facing serious charges in the Koregaon-Bhima violence, Vikhe-Patil alleged the government was trying to save the former in that case too.