Vikhe Patil skips Cong-NCP announcement of alliance in Maha

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil was conspicuously absent Saturday when the Congress and NCP announced firming up of opposition's alliance in Maharashtra here.

There were also reports that he was campaigning for the BJP in Ahmednagar, his home turf, which the Congress denied.

Vikhe Patil's son Sujay has joined the BJP, which has fielded him from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency.

The Congress veteran had earlier lashed out at the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for not giving up the Ahmednagar seat from its quota for Sujay.

The leader of opposition in the Assembly had also said he would not campaign for the NCP nominee in Ahmednagar.

Asked about reports that Vikhe Patil was campaigning for the BJP in Ahmednagar, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan said, "I refuse to believe that Vikhe Patil is campaigning for the BJP.

"I will ascertain the facts from him. He wanted Ahmednagar seat for his son. We held discussions with the NCP but the things ...