Amid growing speculation of a political shift, BJP leader and former minister Harshvardhan Patil met with Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Thursday. According to sources, Patil is expected to join the NCP (SP) within the next three to four days.
Harshvardhan Patil, a seasoned politician, is reportedly eyeing the Indapur Assembly seat for the upcoming elections. Patil previously contested from Indapur but lost to NCP’s Dattatrya Bharne. His potential move to the NCP (SP) is being seen as a strategic step toward reclaiming the seat.
NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase confirmed the meeting, saying, “There are many leaders from the Mahayuti alliance who are constantly meeting our party president. They want to join our party as they do not see any future for themselves in Mahayuti.”
The speculation surrounding Patil’s possible departure from the BJP has sparked reactions within his current party. BJP leader and minister Chandrakant Patil responded to the rumors, remarking, “Those who do not see the possibility of getting a BJP ticket are thinking of changing loyalties. But they should remember that after the elections, Mahayuti will secure more than 170 seats, and then they will regret their decisions.”
Chandrakant Patil further hinted that leaders who switch sides now may not be welcomed back into the party in the future, stating, “At that time, we will have to think whether such leaders should be taken back in the party.”
Harshvardhan Patil’s political career has seen several shifts over the years. His potential re-entry into the NCP fold, if it happens, would be a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The Indapur seat remains a focal point of Patil’s ambitions, and his realignment with Sharad Pawar’s faction could bring new dynamics to the political landscape in Maharashtra.
As the political climate intensifies, all eyes will be on Patil’s next move and its impact on both the BJP and NCP (SP).