In the latest development, the elected Independent Member of Parliament (MP) from Maharashtra's Sangli constituency, Vishal Patil, has pledged his support to the Congress party in a written letter.
This comes after a number of meetings with Congress leaders. He met the party president, Mallikarjun Kharge, former party leader Rahul Gandhi, and chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
हम साथ साथ है❤️#With_INDIA@INCIndia @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/hhR2MaOGp1
— Vishal Prakashbapu Patil (@patilvishalvp) June 6, 2024
Patil's support will boost the Congress party and the INDI alliance. He had contested the election as an independent candidate after he could not secure a party nomination.
Interestingly, Patil is the grandson of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil. His decision to run as an independent caused a stir within the opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
The matter started when the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, chose wrestler Chandrahar Patil as their candidate for Sangli, despite it being a Congress ground for about 50 years. This caused a rift within the alliance.
Despite these challenges, Patil emerged victorious in the Lok Sabha polls, defeating two-term MP and BJP heavyweight Sanjaykaka Patil by a margin of over one lakh votes.
Following this, Congress Party President Kharge also took to social media to express his views. “The people of Maharashtra defeated the politics of treachery, arrogance, and division. It is a fitting tribute to our inspiring stalwarts like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who fought for social justice, equality, and freedom. We welcome the support of the elected MP from Sangli Vishal Patil to the Congress party,” Kharge said on platform X.
People of Maharashtra defeated the politics of treachery, arrogance and division.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 6, 2024
It is a fitting tribute to our inspiring stalwarts like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar who fought for social justice, equality and freedom.… pic.twitter.com/lOn3uYZIFk
The general secretary of the All India Congress Committee, K.C. Venugopal, echoed Kharge's sentiments. He highlighted the party's strong ties with Sangli and welcomed Patil's unwavering support.
As per a report by The Hindu, Patil, on his part, acknowledged some technical difficulties in joining the party as an elected independent but assured that he would take necessary action for the future.
Patil's decision to join the Congress has been supported by Palus-Kadegaon MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, son of late Congressman Patangrao Kadam. Kadam had been campaigning for the Congress win several months prior to the poll.
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