“Money played through a lot of hands. Today, we have around 300 court cases only in this matter,” Manikrao said. “We could not blame the banks as we did not have a good history. At one point, we had a debt of Rs. 42 crore which has now come down to Rs 30 crore.” But he is confident that he can turn things around. “Shailesh’s presence helps as he involves himself in getting the required permissions and also in interacting with the commissioner of co-operatives in Pune and at the CM’s office.”

But Basavjirao Patil, Manikrao’s predecessor, denies that he was responsible for the factory’s fortunes plummeting and says Shailesh Patil was equally involved during his term as well.

“During my tenure too he took equal interest and would accompany me when I had to meet government officials. During one crisis, he was the one who accompanied me to meet the commissioner of sugar in New Delhi. At the government level, he is the one who made phone calls when we needed any help. He also has helped us when we have had to answer banks,” he told The Indian Express.

Now, many workers say they continue to stick to the factory because of Shailesh’s involvement although some are beginning to get angry that they may only be paid one month’s salary this month even though Shailesh Patil had promised to pay them for the full crushing season of six months. Besides, he has also not turned up to meet them so far despite assuring that he would visit in the first week of June.

... contd.