Cong accepts Vikhe Patil's resignation in Maha assembly

In a significant development, leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil's resignation was accepted on Thursday by the Congress high command.

Vikhe-Patil had tendered his resignation after his son, Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil, joined the BJP and is contesting the Ahmednagar seat.

In the wake of criticism, Vikhe-Patil sent a letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, resigning from the post of leader of opposition, a few weeks ago.

"The resignation has been accepted," a close aide of Vikhe-Patil told DH. He, however, continues to be in the Congress.

The Vikhe-Patil family had sought to swap the Congress seat for Ahmednagar, which was with NCP as part of Congress-NCP alliance. However, Sharad Pawar refused to give away the seat. The political rivalry between Pawar and Vikhe-Patil's father Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil is well known in Maharashtra circles.