In a major setback to Congress in Maharashtra, the son of the current Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in a much publicised ceremony. Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of Leader of Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, was welcomed into BJP by Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis and other top NDA leaders in Mumbai.
Sujay Vikhe Patil, who is a practicing neurosurgeon, is a fourth generation political leader in his family. His father, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, is an influential political leader who commands respect in the constituency of Ahmednagar, which has been their family’s traditional stronghold. Miffed over the fact that he was not offered the seat by both Congress and their current ally in Maharashtra, the Sharad Pawar led NCP, Sujay took the bold decision to join the BJP. Speculations are rife that his father too would resign from Congress on the same grounds.
CM Fadnavis welcomed this decision as he spoke at the ceremony, “Sujay Vikhe Patil’s name has been forwarded by state unit to Central Parliamentary board for Lok Sabha candidature and we are sure that the recommended name will be accepted by the Central Parliamentary board.”
CM Fadnavis further added, “PM Modi’s leadership and how he led with his development schemes have benefitted one and all. PM Modi PM Modi has shown India is mighty power and not a weak country. We have shown our enemies what we are capable of. The youth of this country feels that this country is in safe hands now, in the hands of PM Modi. Sujay Vikhe Patil has also realised this.”
Sujay thanked CM Fadnavis and lauded the leadership of PM Modi and Amit Shah. To quote his address to the media, “I am impressed with PM Modi’s leadership. We can count on BJP,” Sujay said while addressing reporters after joining BJP. I’ve taken this decision against my father’s wishes. I don’t know how much my parents will support this decision, but I’ll try my best to make my family proud by working under the guidance of BJP. CM and other BJP MLAs were supportive and helped me take the decision.”
This is clearly not good news for Congress before the Lok Sabha elections, which is already reeling under the jolt of 6 MLAs having unceremoniously defected to BJP in Gujarat. To make matters worse, reports have come that Congress MLAs have resigned in Telangana as well. Given that Congress is all out guns blazing with their current CWC meet in Gujarat, the recent turn of events is nothing less than disastrous for the party. The 2019 Lok Sabha election is now turning out to be far more interesting than ever.
