Sujay likely to face opposition within BJP on home ground

NASHIK: The entry of Sujay Vikhe Patil, grandson of veteran Congress leader late Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, into the BJP fold and his likely candidature from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency has ruffled many feathers within the local unit.
The top BJP leadership was obviously hoping to reap the benefit of the Vikhe Patil family's clout in Ahmednagar, many in the local unit were unhappy with the possible nomination to an "outsider".His candidature, which has been recommended to the party high command, would help the BJP break into the traditional stronghold of the Congress and NCP and ease its fight during assembly elections.
"There is disgruntlement among a section of the party leaders and workers in Ahmednagar as they feel that an outsider would be given the ticket to contest the polls," BJP insiders in Ahmednagar told TOI.
A senior BJP leader from the district said that dedicated workers have toiled hard over the years to create a base of the saffron brigade in Ahmednagar. "It enabled the party to win three of the six assembly seats in Ahmednagar last time. Many within the party are demoralised and senior leaders have to work overtime to boost their morale before the elections," he said.
BJP district president, Bhanudas Berad, said that the local party unit would abide by the decisions taken by the high command. "Our focus is to see that the BJP retains the Ahmednagar seat," he added.
The sitting BJP MP, Dilip Gandhi, too vouched that he would abide by the decision of the party high command. "Sujay will get my full cooperation if he gets the ticket. But I have done enormous work for my constituency in my three terms," added Gandhi.
On Monday, slogans in Gandhi's favour were raised at a BJP meeting in Mumbai when there was wide speculation that Sujay would be joining the party.
The local unit of Sena has been critical of Gandhi and has welcomed Sujay. "We will give our full support to Sujay if he contests on a BJP ticket. Gandhi had failed to perform as the MP. There were plenty of allegations against him and there was no chance he would win again," said Dilip Satpute, Shiv Sena Ahmednagar city unit chief.
Both the BJP and Sena leaders admitted that if Sujay contests the polls, it will help the NDA win over a section of the traditional Congress voters, who are ardent followers of the Vikhe Patil family.
"A section of the voters in entire Ahmednagar district vote for the Congress since they are emotionally attached to the Vike Patil family. Sujay's joining of BJP would not only help NDA in Ahmednagar seat but its effect would also be felt in Shirdi Lok Sabha seat. It would also have positive impact in the 12 assembly constituencies in the two LS seats," added Sena and BJP leaders.