Gyayak Patni: To Keep His Father's Legacy Alive In Karanja (image:facebook.com/gyayak.patni)
Washim, Maharashtra: The announcement of Gyayak Patni, son of late BJP MLA Rajendra Patni, joining the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP exposed the growing dissatisfaction within the BJP ranks. Patni’s move was prompted by the saffron party’s decision to contest Sai Dahake from the Karanja assembly constituency. Sai is former MLA late Prakash Dahake’s wife. Prakash represented the Karanja constituency in 2009.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the BJP’s decision, Gyayak said: “We have seen how the BJP, at the last minute, made hasty decisions without taking any of us into confidence. They betrayed Patni saheb and disregarded the work he dedicated himself to.”
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Rajendra Sukhanand Patni was an influential leader from the Vidarbha region. A three-term MLA from Karanja and Washim district chief of the BJP, he joined the party after leaving Shiv Sena. While he was in Shiv Sena, he served as the state Legislative Council (MLC) from 1997 to 2003. In 2004, Patni contested and won from Karanja on a Shiv Sena ticket. But he failed to retain the seat in 2009.
Patni then quit Shiv Sena and switched to the BJP. In 2014, he contested and won the election on a BJP ticket and retained the seat in 2019. In the 2019 election, Patni emerged as the winner, defeating NCP nominee Prakash Dahake. Patni secured 73,205 votes, while Dahake garnered 50,481 votes.
In February this year, Patni died after a prolonged illness. Since Patni passed away, his supporters wanted to give constituency nomination to his son. They believed that sentimental elements over Patni’s demise would aid in Gyayak’s favour. Patni earned a good reputation in the constituency as he strived to address issues like the farm crisis, problems of the backward district, and job opportunities for the youth, The Indian Express reports.
Aside from this, during Patni’s tenure, the government has allotted huge funds for the developmental works for the constituency. But according to the internal survey conducted by the BJP, Gyayak Patni’s win from the constituency is dismal, sources told Marathi Times. Thus, the nomination went to Sai.
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Sai is presently the Chairperson of the Karanja Bazaar Committee. Sai, who belonged to the NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction, joined the BJP recently and received a ticket for the Karanja assembly seat.
Karanja constituency is located in Washim district in the Vidarbha region. The 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra will go to polls on November 20 and counting of votes will take place on November 23.
