In the midst of the high-octane political drama that is unfolding in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party MLA from Wai constituency in Satara District, Makarand Patil, on Monday announced that he has joined the camp led by NCP senior leader and current Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar.
While explaining his decision to join Ajit Pawar’s camp, Patil said that he aims to save two sugar factories in his constituency, which are in financial crisis, and he hopes to bring development and resolve issues related to tourism in Wai. Interestingly, Patil was one of the MLAs who were present with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s visit to Karad city, a day after Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs rebelled against the party to join Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena-BJP government.
MLA Patil also claimed that his name had figured in the list of nine ministers including Ajit Pawar who took oath as ministers last Sunday.
While speaking to PTI, he said, “but I told Ajit Pawar that I would have to consult my supporters and people from the constituency before taking any decision.”
Videos emerged were several workers and supporters of Patil met Dy CM Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on Saturday and demanded a cabinet position for the MLA. Patil also expressed his difficulty in making this decision as both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar are dear to him.
He said, “It was a tough decision. Recently, I took over two sugar factories that were in a financial crisis. Just because of people’s insistence, I contested the elections to these factories. I could handle the last year’s (sugarcane crushing) season without any problem.”
he laid emphasis on the various issues they faced last year when not in power to manage the factories. Patil added, “Against this backdrop, we have decided (to join the Ajit Pawar camp) to save these sugar factories, and to address the issues related to development and tourism in my constituency.”
The Ajit Pawar led camp has staked the claim on the NCP name and symbol after joining Shiv Sena-BJP government citing a support of 40 plus out of 53 MLA’s of NCP.
