Dispute In MVA Over Sangli Seat Persists: Congress MLA Declines Campaigning For Shiv Sena (UBT), Here's What Happened

The Maharashtra Congress has convened an urgent meeting in Sangli to address the concerns of MLA Vishwajeet Kadam and other party members.

Kadam has refrained from campaigning for the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Chandrahar Patil in Sangli, which is scheduled for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on 7 May.

"Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole, senior party leader Balasaheb Thorat, and other leaders will meet with party workers tomorrow (Thursday) in Sangli. After that, I will decide on campaigning," Kadam stated, as per a report by The Indian Express.

Kadam's disagreement with the party stems from its decision not to field his nominee, Vishal Patil of the Congress, and instead allow Chandrahar Patil to contest from the seat as part of the seat-sharing agreement within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

Despite efforts to secure his candidacy, Vishal Patil, grandson of former Maharashtra chief minister Vasantdada Patil, filed his nomination papers as an Independent. Despite requests from Congress leadership, Patil refused to withdraw his candidacy before the deadline on Monday.

Consequently, there are now three major candidates vying for the Sangli seat: Sitting MP Sanjaykaka Patil of the BJP, Chandrahar Patil of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Vishal Patil.

Congress MLA Vikram Sawant noted that Vishal Patil was garnering a positive response from the public. "However, we are following alliance principles and campaigning for the MVA candidate," Sawant stated.

Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded that Congress take action against Vishal Patil, with the Congress indicating that it will expel him.

Despite this, the party is making a final attempt to persuade members to campaign for Chandrahar Patil. "Let us wait for one more day," Kadam remarked.