"Congress Leader from Maharashtra Chooses Independent Path, Uddhav Thackeray Responds"

Upset over the Opposition INDIA bloc's seat-sharing deal in Maharashtra, Congress leader Vishal Patil filed his nomination as an Independent from the Sangli Lok Sabha seat.

Vishal Patil, a Maharashtra Congress leader and grandson of the late Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil, has taken an unexpected turn in his political journey. He filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls as an Independent candidate from Sangli, a seat traditionally held by Congress but allocated to the Shiv Sena under the Opposition's seat-sharing deal in the state.

Expressing his long-standing dedication to Congress, Patil recounted his journey since 1998 and his repeated aspirations for a Congress ticket from Sangli. However, despite his efforts, he never received the nomination, facing setbacks due to various reasons like concerns over nepotism and past electoral affiliations.

The seat-sharing agreement among opposition parties allocated Sangli to Shiv Sena, prompting Patil's independent candidacy. This move has stirred discussions within the coalition, with Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray emphasizing the responsibility of preventing internal dissent within the alliance.

Sangli, historically a Congress stronghold, witnessed a shift in recent elections, with BJP and other parties making significant inroads. Despite this, Patil's decision to contest independently reflects his determination to represent his constituency.

The upcoming elections in Sangli, scheduled alongside ten other seats in Maharashtra, are poised to be a closely watched contest, with Patil challenging the established political dynamics in the region.