Maharashtra BJP's Harshvardhan Patil Says Will Join Sharad Pawar's NCP

Weeks before the Maharashtra election, BJP leader and former minister Harshvardhan Patil has declared that he will soon switch to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP). Harshvardhan Patil announced his decision to quit the BJP to supporters today, a day after his meeting with Sharad Pawar.

"I have been travelling across the Indapur constituency and meeting people from various sections for the last two months. One thing is clear, the people have been insisting that I should contest the Assembly election," Mr Patil told reporters.

"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 spoke to my supporters and have decided to join the NCP(SP)," he said. He is expected to contest from Indapur constituency in Pune, against NCP legislator Dattamama Bharne.

Mr Patil, the chairman of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories and a cooperative baron, has represented the Indapur constituency four times.

The leader's supporters said he would join NCP(SP) on October 7 during a rally at Indapur.

Mr Patil's daughter Ankitta Patil, a former Pune Zilla Parishad member, will also join the Sharad Pawar faction, according to sources.

Mr Patil left the Congress and joined the BJP in September 2019.

According to those close to him, he was uncertain about being chosen by the BJP to contest from the Indapur seat as it is represented by the ruling party's alliance partner, the Ajit Pawar NCP.

He was unhappy over the BJP for not taking a firm stand on his candidature from the Indapur constituency, said a leader.

Ankitta Patil, who is an ex-member of Pune Zilla Parishad, has also changed her WhatsApp status to a "man blowing turah" (a traditional trumpet) which is the NCP-SP's poll symbol.

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