Indapur

As Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, BJP leader and former minister Harshvardhan Patil announced on Friday that he would be joining the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP). Patil revealed his decision during a meeting with a large group of supporters.

In a statement to the media, Patil explained, Over the past two months, I have been visiting the Indapur constituency and connecting with people from different backgrounds. It’s clear that many want me to run in the Assembly elections. He shared that during a discussion with NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar, it was suggested that since his supporters are eager for him to contest from Indapur, he should make a decision. After consulting with his supporters, he resolved to join NCP(SP).

Patil is expected to run for the Indapur Assembly seat against the current NCP legislator, Dattamama Bharne. A significant figure in the cooperative sector, Patil has previously represented Indapur four times. His supporters indicated he would officially join NCP(SP) on October 7 at a rally in Pune district. Additionally, sources reveal that his daughter, Ankitta Patil, a former Pune Zilla Parishad member, will also join Sharad Pawar’s faction. Patil, who left Congress for the BJP in September 2019, had concerns about securing a nomination for the Indapur seat, which is held by the BJP’s alliance partner, NCP.