Mumbai: In a significant political move, Archana Patil, formerly associated with the BJP, has crossed party lines to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra. Following her defection, the NCP promptly announced her candidacy for the Dharashiv Lok Sabha constituency, situated in the Marathwada region, where she will face off against Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Omraje Nimbalkar.
Archana Patil’s switch to the NCP was marked by an official welcome from state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare, who endorsed her as the MahaYuti candidate for Dharashiv. Notably, her entry into the party was witnessed by a display of unity, with BJP leaders Basavraj Patil and Abhimanyu Pawar, alongside Shiv Sena legislator Dyanraj Chougule, present at the occasion.
This move signals a significant shift in alliances, considering Archana’s previous association with the BJP. Her husband, BJP legislator Rana Jagjit Singh Patil, also played a role in this political realignment. The couple had initially joined the BJP in 2019 after parting ways with the NCP. However, Archana’s nomination now pits her against her former party’s rival candidate.
The electoral contest in Dharashiv is further complicated by familial ties and historical rivalries. Rana Jagjit Singh Patil, Archana’s husband, had previously contested as the NCP nominee against Omraje Nimbalkar in the 2019 general elections. Their family history intertwines with the political landscape, particularly concerning the rivalry between their respective families.
Omraje Nimbalkar’s affiliation with Shiv Sena, despite the party’s split last year, adds another layer of complexity to the electoral dynamics in Dharashiv. As Archana Patil prepares to embark on this political journey under the NCP banner, the constituency braces itself for an intriguing electoral showdown.