‘Unfortunate that Congress failed to rein in its rebel candidates…effect could be felt in 7-8 seats’: NCP leader Jayant Patil

In the run up to the elections, do you see a divide being created between the OBCs and Marathas? How will it affect the elections?

In Maharashtra, there was never a division between the castes but the BJP is driving a wedge between the castes for their political gain. In many places, the BJP backed independent candidates or financed rebels who were denied party tickets. Such candidates can harm the potential of our candidates. We have been appealing to the voters not to fall prey to such ploys. Earlier, they were dividing people over religion and now it’s on caste lines.

Earlier, when Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath came to Maharashtra, he made a statement that if MVA comes to power, Ganeshotsav would not be allowed in the state. Yogi Adityanath speaks as if he has blinkers on his eyes he can only see one thing. He does not understand the essence of Ganesh festival in Maharashtra. The festival transcends borders and unites every one irrespective of their caste or religion. His statement does not reflect the state’s ethos.

What is your reaction to Congress leaders rebelling against the party’s candidates and standing as independents? In your home district of Sangli, Jayashri Patil has defied the party line and is being helped by Vishal Patil the co-opted MP of Congress. Will it affect the performance of MVA?

It is very unfortunate that the Congress failed to rein in its rebel candidates. The effect of such candidates could be felt in seven to eight seats in the state. In Sangli, the situation is very strange- the sitting MP is openly canvassing for the rebel candidate against the official MVA candidate. This could have been avoided.

Going back to the question of division among castes, what is your ground observation? Are there places where such a divide is very evident?

The BJP is playing up the castes against each other and in some places the divide is very evident. For example in Beed, the divide is there but the castes who are being played against each other know that the BJP just makes use of them. At first, they used the Marathas and now they are trying to use the OBCs but people would not fall prey to the BJP’s games this time.

Prices of soyabean and cotton are below the government declared Minimum Support Price (MSP). Do you think this election can become a cotton and soybean election given the negative sentiments among the farmers about the prices?

Soyabean prices have fallen below their MSP and there is no government intervention on ground to help the farmers. Farmers in the state know that the price of their produce has fallen due to the policies of the central government. During the Lok Sabha elections, the onion farmers had voted against the BJP and its anti-farmer policy. In Marathwada and Vidarbha, this time the farmers will vote against the party for their anti-farmer policy. The onion farmers are also against the BJP.

The fate of the sugarcane crushing season of 2024-25 seems to be uncertain as the sugar commissionerate is yet to issue licenses to mills. There is an effort being made in some areas to push the commencement of the crushing season, post elections. However, many labourers have either already left or are leaving the state for neighbouring states for the cane crushing season.

Should the cane crushing season be delayed?

The ministerial committee headed by the Chief minister had decided to start the season on November 15. Accordingly, mills have made their preparations. However, now there is a delay as some leaders are worried about their voters leaving before elections. This is wrong. The ministerial committee’s decision should be adhered to. Any delay in the start of the season would see harvesting labour leaving the state and would be detrimental to the sugar mills in Maharashtra.