Nagpur/Gondia: Following Nana Patole’s resignation from Lok Sabha the political activities in Bhandara-Gondia constituency gave gained momentum. Patole who had won on BJP ticket is touring the constituency and holding meetings after meetings. Notably, the local workers of Congress are extending full support the former BJP MP. The presence of Congress workers at Patole’s meetings gives enough hints that Patole might be the Congress candidate in the Lok Sabha by-poll scheduled to be held in near future. But Patole has scoffed at this possibility and has not opened his cards regarding his future move. Nanabhau is an old Congress hand and the party’s support during his ‘war’ on BJP is in public domain.
After his resignation from Lok Sabha and BJP, Patole took out “Pashchatap (Repentance) Rally” also and since then he has been touring his constituency non-stop. He has so far held public meetings at tehsil level in Bhandara, Gondia, Sakoli, Lakhandur, Arjuni Morgaon, and other places. At all these places, Congress workers worked hard for success of Patole’s meetings. Thousands of people attended the meetings and heard Patole in rapt attention. Patole launched blistering attacks against BJP Government and its policies at every meeting.
Wenesday Rate
Wed 25 Dec. 2024
The Lok Sabha by-poll for Bhandara-Gondia seat as well as at many seats across the country could be held by January end or early February next year. As such, time is very short for this crucial poll. Nanabhau is a popular figure among the people of this constituency. Fighting the 2009 Lok Sabha election as an Independent candidate, Patole was placed second losing to NCP stalwart Praful Patel. However, in the 2014 poll, Patole turned the tables on Patel by winning the seat on BJP ticket. Praful Patel is currently a Rajya Sabha member.
Congress and NCP, who fought the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections on their own, are now ‘close friends’ again. Therefore, possibility of both the parties fighting the Lok Sabha by-poll in alliance could not be ruled out. In this situation, if Nana Patole emerges as Congress candidate, his winning chances could bolster. On the other hand, BJP has currently no candidate who could give a fight to a man of Patole’s stature. Moreover, its bickering ally Shiv Sena may also rally behind Patole despite being a partner in State Government.
