3rd generation all set to carry dynasty baton

PUNE: Public angst against dynastic politics notwithstanding, the third generation of many prominent families in Maharashtra is set to join the poll fray this year.

Sujay Vikhe Patil

, grandson of Congress leader late

Balasaheb Vikhe Patil

, caused a political earthquake by joining the BJP on Tuesday. But he is not alone. Two young turks from NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s family are set to make their presence felt in the state politics.

Rohit Pawar, grandson of Sharad Pawar’s elder brother Appasaheb Pawar, is an elected member of the Pune zilla parishad and likely to contest the assembly elections later this year.

Also, Parth Pawar, former deputy chief minister and prominent NCP leader Ajit Pawar’s son and NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew, is most likely to contest from the Maval constituency this year.

The trend will extend to the dominant political families in western Maharashtra. Virendra Mandlik, grandson of late MP Sadashiv Mandlik and son of Shiv Sena's Kolhapur candidate Sanjay Mandlik, is likely to contest the forthcoming state assembly election.

He has set up the

Mandlik Yuva Prathisthan

and built a network of activists in the district through it. He has taken over the reins of the poll campaign for his father in Kolhapur district and is building ground for his candidature.

Ruturaj Patil, grandson of former governor D Y Patil and nephew of ex-Congress minister Satej Patil is all set to contest forthcoming state assembly elections. He has increased connection with the youth voters through his network of college friends and platforms. Satej Patil will be contesting from his traditional Kolhapur South assembly constituency and is likely to pitch for Ruturaj from Kolhapur North constituency.

Sandeep Kshirsagar, grandson of late MP from Beed Kesharkaku Kshirsagar, is emerging as a strong leader from Marathwada. In his late 30s, Sandeep has parted ways with his uncles — former PWD minister Jaydatta Kshirsagar and chairman of Beed municipal council Bharatbushan. Sandeep floated Kaku Nana Vikas Aghadi a few years back and managed to emerge as the single largest party in municipal council polls in 2016. The recently held by-poll for one of the municipal seats in Beed saw NCP chief Sharad Pawar throw his weight behind Sandeep. He is being informally projected as the NCP candidate for the assembly elections.

Pratik Patil, grandson for former chief minister late Vasantdada Patil, is all set to again contest from the family's traditional Sangli

Lok Sabha

seat on Congress ticket.

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