Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, the state BJP unit faced a major setback as former minister and senior leader Harshvardhan Patil joined the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction today (October 7). He was welcomed by the party chief, Sharad Pawar, as the former swore his allegiance towards the NCP (SP).
Significantly, Patil, a prominent BJP leader, first confirmed his entry to the NCP (SP) after his fallout with the party over the Indapur Assembly seat, presently allocated to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
I will join NCP (SP)
Earlier, elaborating on his decision to the media over joining the Sharad Pawar camp, Patil stated that his supporters want him to contest the Assembly Elections. "And during the meeting with the NCP (SP) chief, he told me that since my supporters want me to contest from Indapur, I should take a call... I had a word with them and then came to a conclusion over joining the NCP (SP)."
Significantly, it is expected that the Patil will contest the elections from Indapur, his home turf, on the NCP (SP) ticket. He will lock horns with NCP Ajit Pawar faction leader and present MLA Dattatray Bharne.
Patil's election bid
Reportedly, Patil, who was unhappy with the BJP for not taking a firm stand on his candidature from the Indapur constituency, had earlier won the seat in 1995, 1999, and 2004 as an independent candidate. Later in 2009, he joined Congress and again clinched victory from the seat. However failed to make mark in 2014 polls.
Later, in 2019, he joined the BJP; however, again lost to NCP candidate Bharne.
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