Pune: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is visiting Sangli today for the inauguration of the life-size statue of party stalwart Patangrao Kadam. Though Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will stay away from the event, NCP (S-P) Sharad Pawar will attend the function.

Uddhav Thackeray has his own reasons not to attend the function of the Congress.

Before heading for Sangli event, Rahul Gandhi went to residence of Vasatrao Chavan, the Congress MP from Nanded who died recently. He met Mr Chavan's family members and offered condolences.

Firstly, Congress is not agreeing to accept his demand to name a chief ministerial candidate ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Secondly, Vishajeet Kadam, son of Mr Patangrao Kadam, had campaigned against Sena, 

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai today thay Uddhav Thackeray was not playing any politics by staying away. “He had pre-decided events and meetings and therefore he won't be available for the Sangli function,” Raut said.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Nana Patole said, “I met have urged him to attend the event but he said he was preoccupied with other events”.

The event in Sangli has been organised by Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, the son of Patangrao Kadam. 

The inauguration of the statue scheduled to take place around 1 pm at the Wangli village in Sangli district. After the event, Rahul Gandhi will address a rally at Kadegaon