Vishal Patil, the Congress rebel candidate who won from Sangli Lok Sabha seat, on Thursday extended support to the Congress, INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
“With his support, the Congress strength will go up to 100 in the Lok Sabha,” said Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, his mentor who fought very hard to get nomination for Vishal Patil.
Vishal Patil and his mentor MLA Vishwajeet Kadam on Thursday met Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. Patil handed over the letter of his support to Kharge.
Vishal Patil, a rebel candidate, recently made waves in the Sangli Lok Sabha seat during the just-concluded elections. Despite not being fielded by any party, he secured a remarkable victory by defeating BJP candidate Sanjaykaka Patil, the sitting MP, by over one lakh votes. Vishal hails from the prominent family of former Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil.
Here’s a brief overview of his journey:
- Independent Victory: Vishal Patil contested as an independent candidate after failing to secure a party nomination. His popularity was evident from the first round itself, and he maintained a strong lead throughout the election.
- Congress Support: Although not officially endorsed by the Congress, Vishal’s victory was celebrated by party workers. Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam had been at the forefront of advocating for Vishal’s nomination.
- Sena’s Role: The Sena (UBT), an alliance partner of Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), fielded wrestler Chandrahar Patil as their candidate. However, Vishal’s victory overshadowed both Chandrahar and Sanjaykaka Patil.
- Delhi Visit: Vishal Patil recently visited Delhi, seeking to become an associate MP with the Congress. His journey from an independent candidate to a potential party affiliate reflects the twists and turns of Indian politics.
Despite the challenges, Vishal Patil’s victory in Sangli has left a lasting impact, and his quest for political affiliation continues
