Maharashtra poll ballotin: Rane keen on Ratnagiri but Sena’s Samant jumps in the race; Congress’s Patil set to contest Sangli as independent

Even before the announcement of ruling alliance's candidate from Ratnagiri -Sindhudurg constituency, Union Minister Narayan Rane has claimed that he will win the seat.

Union Minister Narayan Rane. (File Photo)

Rane, Samant in race for Ratnagiri

Even before the announcement of ruling alliance’s candidate from Ratnagiri -Sindhudurg constituency, Union Minister Narayan Rane has claimed that he will win the seat by a margin of over two lakh votes by defeating Sena UBT MP Vinayak Raut. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s Kiran Samant, brother of state’s Industries Minister Uday Samant, is interested in contesting from this seat but BJP seem to have sidelined its ally in this seat as well. Now, sources claim that the BJP leadership has asked Rane to avoid making statements around the seat.

Cong’s Patil to contest Sangli as independent

After the Congress was denied the Sangli Lok Sabha constituency, party leader Vishal Patil is likely to contest as an independent candidate. Not only the Congress, but even the BJP leadership from Sangli is now openly supporting him against its own candidate and incumbent MP Sanjaykaka Patil. Former MLA Vilasrao Jagtap has resigned from BJP and has declared open support to Vishal Patil. Now, Vishal Patil is emerging as a dark horse in a triangular fight, if he goes ahead with the nomination and may get support from dissatisfied factions of both Congress and BJP.

Also Read | Lok Sabha elections: After split in NCP, Bhandara-Gondia to be a litmus test for Congress in Maharashtra

Maratha body to back Mahayuti

Akhil Bharatiya Maratha Mahasangh president Dilip Jagtap on Monday pledged unconditional support to Mahayuti alliance in the Lok Sabha polls. Jagtap said, “The ABMM has always supported the BJP. We hope the BJP will enforce the Maratha reservation with enhanced allocation.” The state government has promised a 10 per cent quota to Marathas. In 2018, Fadnavis-led government had given 12 and 13 per cent reservation for Marathas in jobs and education respectively. But it was scrapped by the Supreme Court.

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