Did Congress Face a Major Setback with Kunal Patil's Shift to BJP?

Mumbai, July 1 (NationPress) The Congress party experienced a significant blow on Tuesday as Kunal Patil, a former legislator and close associate of party MP Rahul Gandhi, made the decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This transition took place in the presence of Revenue Minister and state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, along with working president Ravindra Chavan.

Kunal Patil, son of esteemed Congress leader Rohidas Patil, represented the Dhule (Rural) constituency after securing victory in the 2014 elections. However, he faced defeat against BJP candidate Ram Bhadane in the 2024 polls.

Patil submitted his resignation from the Congress party's primary membership just a day prior to his joining the BJP.

This shift in allegiance follows the recent departure of former legislator Sangram Jagtap from the Bhor constituency in Pune district to the BJP, who cited feelings of neglect by Congress.

Interestingly, in March of the previous year, Rahul Gandhi visited Kunal Patil's father, Rohidas Patil, at home during his illness, even facilitating a phone call between Kunal and his mother, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Patil participated in Gandhi's Bharat Jodi Yatra and recently met with state BJP working president Ravindra Chavan, leading to his decision to part ways with Congress and embark on a new journey with the BJP.

After joining the BJP, Patil commended Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, emphasizing the latter's vision for transforming the region into a significant industrial hub that could enhance the lives of local residents.

"The time has come to prioritize the needs of others over my own," Patil stated, defending his choice to leave Congress for BJP.

He remarked, "Today marks an important and historic juncture. It is a challenging time for me and my fellow party workers and office bearers. I am joining the BJP, alongside numerous Congress workers. It is true that a Congress member is shifting to the BJP, breaking away from a tradition spanning three generations and 75 years. Chudaman Anna Patil, my grandfather, was renowned as the MP with record votes in 1962 during the Jawaharlal Nehru era, serving in Lok Sabha for 25 years. My father was an MLA from 1978 until 2009. The legacy of development set by my predecessors places a heavy responsibility on my shoulders to continue this tradition.

Patil further emphasized his dedication to the Congress party's advancement during his tenure there.

"Having been loyal to Congress for 70 years, transitioning to another party is indeed challenging. Nevertheless, this decision is essential for our area's development. Since childhood, we've perceived Congress as our party, and loyalty to it has been ingrained in us. Congress is in our blood, and I was honored to be elected in the 2014 Assembly elections with a substantial majority," he concluded.