BJP's ex-state VP, ex-MLA join Congress ahead of bypoll in Maharashtra

Ahead of the upcoming crucial bypolls in the state, former BJP Maharashtra unit Vice President Bhaskarrao Patil-Khatgaonkar and former legislator Omprakash A Pokarna joined the Congress. This is a major hit for the BJP as the Dewlglur Assembly by-elections are scheduled for October 30, and the new joiners are expected to boost the chances of Congress in the district.

The two leaders announced their decision at a joint press conference on Sunday afternoon in the presence of Congress' Nanded strongman and Public Works Minister Ashok Chavan.

Patil-Khatgaonkar is the son-in-law of former Congress party stalwart and Union minister, the late SB Chavan and brother-in-law of Ashok Chavan. A three-time MP and MLA and two-time state minister, he quit the Congress in 2014.

Pokarna, too, joined the BJP in 2014. A former Nanded Mayor and legislator, he has now decided to return to the Congress with Patil-Khatgaonkar.

Meanwhile, in Deglur, the Congress has nominated Jitesh Antapur, and the BJP has fielded Subhash Sabne. Jitesh Antapur is the son of late MLA Raosaheb Antapurkar. Subhash Sabne is an ex-Shiv Sena legislator who joined the BJP recently. Ashok Chavan and other Congress leaders also welcomed several other office bearers ad activists who are also walking over to the Congress.

Tags: