Gokul polls: MLA Shivaji Patil takes a dig at minister Chandrakant Patil over Mahayuti rift

Kolhapur: Chandgad MLA Shivaji Patil, who extended support to BJP after the state assembly elections, on Saturday publicly criticised senior BJP minister Chandrakant Patil, accusing him of ignoring local functionaries and failing to strengthen the party in Kolhapur district. He also hinted at a possible political realignment for the upcoming Gokul dairy elections.Addressing the media, Patil said, “Minister Chandrakant Patil is a national functionary of BJP; however, he doesn’t understand local politics. He has joined hands with minister Hasan Mushrif, who has taken a vow to end BJP in Kolhapur. Both ministers have done nothing for the development of Chandgad tehsil in Kolhapur. How much should we tolerate? Should we just walk around with flags?”“CM Fadnavis asked me to go for the Gokul elections together as Mahayuti; however, Chandrakant Patil didn’t call me for the meeting of Mahayuti netas. Minister Mushrif was called to the meeting. Samit Kadam of Jan Surajya Shakti (Sangli), who has no connection with Gokul or Kolhapur, was also called. Yet he did not even give me an idea. I will express my regret in front of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis,” he said.Warning of a potential shift in alliances, Patil added, “If we are not going to be considered in Mahayuti, then Satej Patil is not far from us. Even if he is an opponent, we will keep our politics aside for Gokul.”Raising concerns over the electoral process, Patil claimed irregularities in voter eligibility. “For Gokul, 427 milk institutions were disqualified. Immediately after that, they were made eligible. I don’t know what exactly is going on, but I will bring this matter to the attention of the CM. If the ineligible institutions become eligible, Gokul will remain in the house of one leader,” he said.“Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena are strong in the district, but where is BJP? No one is telling the party workers what to do. Minister Patil should understand BJP and give strength to the workers,” he said.