Maharashtra Assembly elections: NCP (SP) rebel Satyajit Patankar takes on Sena minister Sambhuraje Desai in ‘battle’ of dynasties

Interestingly, the Patan Assembly constituency has only elected candidates hailing from either the Patankar or the Desai family since 1962. Balasaheb Desai, the grandfather of Shambhuraje Desai, was the legislator from 1962 to 1983, Vikramsinh Patankar from 1983 to 2004 and 2009 to 2014, and Shambhuraje Desai from 2004 to 2009 and again from 2014.

“I was firm on contesting the Assembly election. I could not get the ticket of my party as the seat went to Shiv Sena (UBT) in the seat-sharing arrangement. Therefore, I decided to contest as an Independent,” said Satyajit Patankar.

Satyajit Patankar alleged that despite being a cabinet minister, Shambhuraje Desai failed to carry out development works in the constituency. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre,10.11.24,Satara,Maharashtra)

The margin in the 2019 Assembly elections between Shambhuraje Desai and Satyajit Patankar was a few thousand and in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the NCP(SP) nominee had got the lead in the Assembly segment over BJP candidate Udayanraje Bhosale.

Satyajit Patankar alleged that despite being a cabinet minister, Shambhuraje Desai failed to carry out development works in the constituency, leading to the migration of residents to Pune and Mumbai. “Desai didn’t bring any industry but his action led to the closure of projects that would have boosted employment,” he added.

Shambhuraje Desai, on the other hand, claimed that the constituency got its largest-ever share of development funds under his leadership. “The basic infrastructure has got a boost… the constituency is spread over a larger area due to hilly terrain,” said Milind Gholap, a supporter of the Shiv Sena minister.

“There were only discussions by the opponents… whereas Desai has begun the process of promoting tourism in the area,” he added.

“The Shiv Sena under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has launched many welfare schemes for women, youth, and farmers, which have benefited the residents of the constituency, too, in a big way,” said another Shambhuraje Desai supporter Suresh Lad.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Harshad Kadam from the Patan constituency, which will go to the polls along with the rest of the state on November 20. The counting will be held on November 23.