KOLHAPUR: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) received a huge jolt on Tuesday with former deputy chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha member Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil and his son, Ranjitsinh, announcing the latter’s decision to join the BJP.Vijaysinh, who spoke for half a minute said, “I am with you,” indicating that he would go with the decision.Ranjitsinh is all set to contest from Madha as a BJP candidate. His decision comes days after Sujay Vikhe-Patil, son of Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, joined the BJP to contest from Ahmednagar district. Both families are powerful in Maharashtra politics and have been loyal to the Congress.Ranjitsinh made his announcement to supporters in Akluj in Solapur district that he will join the BJP on Wednesday in Mumbai in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state chief Raosaheb Danve.In his brief speech, Ranjitsinh said he was joining the BJP for the development of Solapur district and to solve its water problems. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and appreciated Union minister Nitin Gadkari and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.He then explained how his family had been loyal to Pawar since the NCP’s inception. Both father and son were restrained in criticizing the NCP or Pawar. But their supporters came down heavily on Pawar and other party leaders in their speeches focussing on how the Mohite-Patil family had been isolated by the NCP.Ranjitsinh had been meeting top BJP leaders for several days. Fadnavis has confirmed his ticket to contest from Madha. BJP sources said his name would be on the list of candidates.Party spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “ The party has given all the possible positions of power to the Mohite-Patil family. Their decision is unfortunate. Only they can explain the reasons for it. We are sure that we will win Madha constituency. Our workers are strong and united.”Supporters of the Mohite-Patil family said they had been suffocated in the NCP. They complained that they were being deliberately sidelined by the Pawar family and as tension grew, the Mohite-Patils got close to the BJP.They were also upset as Vijaysinh’s name was not announced in the first list of candidates like the other three sitting Lok Sabha members which, his supporters said, was humiliating.Pawar’s unexpected decision to contest from Madha further distanced Mohite-Patil from the NCP as it appeared as another attempt to end their political existence.Angry supporters then ran a massive social media campaign to oppose Pawar’s candidature. When he withdrew, the decision was largely attributed to stiff opposition from the Mohite-Patil faction.NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told TOI that the opposition by the Mohite-Patil family has nothing to do with Pawar’s decision. “Pawar saheb has already explained the reasons for his decision,” he said.After the Phaltan incident, where party workers clashed in front of Pawar, making him halt his speech, sent worry rippling through the NCP. Pawar’s remark in the Karmala meeting, where he commented on reservation for the Dhangar community emerged as a concern. The community in Madha is around 23 per cent and vocal about their problems. Pawar’s comments went viral on social media.When it came to Madha’s ticket, the names of retired bureaucrat Prabhakar Deshmukh, Sanjay Shinde and Deepak Salunkhe cropped up. Vijaysinh wanted the ticket for his son which was not accepted.Supporters who spoke at Tuesday’s meeting wanted to know why Ranjitsinh was not included when Supriya Sule, Parth Pawar and Sameer Bhujbal were being fielded by the party.Ranjitsinh told his supporters, gathered outside his Akluj residence, that his family and workers were never into politics for power but for development. He referred to the water schemes for Solapur district which is being supported by the present government. He said BJP leaders have assured him of sort out all the problems in Solapur district.BJP strategist Girish Mahajan has scalped yet another disgruntled scion of a political family—former NCP MP Ranjeetsinh Mohite Patil, son of Sharad Pawar’s trusted aide Vijaysinh Mohite Patil.“Ranjeetsinh Mohite Patil is tired of Pawar’s politics. He is joining BJP on Wednesday; there is no assurance, his entry is unconditional,” Mahajan said. A week ago, he brought into the saffron fold Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of another sugar baron and leader of opposition from Congress Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Sujay will contest from Ahmednagar.

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