Pune: Amid speculations that he may quit the BJP, former cabinet minister Harshvardhan Patil held an hour-long closed-door meeting with NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday. Patil said he was waiting to see the decision deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis takes regarding the Indapur assembly seat which he is interested in contesting. The meet of the governing council of Vasantdada Sugar Institute was held in Pune on Tuesday.
Pawar, Patil and other members of the council, were present. Another closed-door meeting followed between Pawar and Patil at the venue. Patil denied any political discussion with Pawar.
“I am a member of the council of the institute. I did spend more than two hours in a meeting with Pawar but there was no political discussion with him,” he added. His presence with the NCP (SCP) chief was enough for speculations on his switching over to Pawar's party.
The Indapur seat is currently with Ajit Pawar’s NCP. While the poll is less than three months away, Ajit Pawar has started his campaign in the constituency. “Ajit Pawar has been insisting that parties that currently hold the seats should retain them for the assembly poll.
However, my supporters want me to contest the Indapur seat,” Patil said. He has requested Fadnavis to intervene and convince Pawar to vacate the seat for the BJP. According to Patil, Fadnavis has assured him of a solution, but so far, no decision has been taken by the Mahayuti partners.
“During the LS polls, it was decided that decisions by Fadnavis will be binding. I am waiting for him to announce it,” Patil added. According to the BJP supporters, his discussions with Pawar’s party are to keep his options open.
Fadnavis said Patil would not leave the party. “BJP is getting stronger as the election nears. More politicians will join us.
During the poll phase, it is common to see some politicians joining or leaving parties. Members like Harshvardhan Patil will stay with the BJP,” he added. We also published the following articles recently Harshvardhan Patil meets Pawar, Fadnavis says BJP leader wont leave party Harshvardhan Patil, former cabinet minister, met NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar, sparking rumors he might leave the BJP.
Patil is keen to contest the Indapur assembly seat, awaiting Devendra Fadnavis' decision. Fadnavis assured a solution, but seat-sharing talks within Mahayuti partners continue. Patil denied any political discussions with Pawar.
As MLA, Bharne got max funds for Indapur: Ajit Pawar Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar has made a significant claim on the Indapur seat for the assembly elections. He highlighted the substantial development work by the incumbent MLA Datta Bharne, stating that over Rs5,000 crore in projects were approved during Bharne's term from 2019 to 2024. Pawar urged the public to support his party.
NCP (SCP) not interested in CM face for Maharashtra assembly polls, says Sharad Pawar Sharad Pawar, leader of the NCP, asserted that the MVA's goal in the upcoming assembly elections should be to replace the current government, not to focus on a chief ministerial candidate. This comes amidst Shiv Sena's request to name a CM face. Pawar stressed offering an alternative to voters, with seat-sharing discussions to happen on August 27.
.
