Poll position: MLC Kapil Patil to be face of Nitish Kumar’s JD (U) in Maharashtra

Patil, a journalist-turned-politician, was elected to the upper house of state legislature from Konkan teachers’ constituency and has been vocal on issues related to education

Looking to expand its base in Maharashtra, the Janata Dal (United), headed by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, has made MLC Kapil Patil the face of the party in the state. Patil will merge his political outfit, Lok Bharati, with the JD (U) on Saturday.

Patil, a journalist-turned-politician, was elected to the upper house of state legislature from Konkan teachers’ constituency and has been vocal on issues related to education (File)

A resolution on the merger will be passed at the party’s meeting at Ravindra Natya Mandir auditorium on Saturday. Shyam Rajak, general secretary of JD(U), will be present at the meet.

Patil, a journalist-turned-politician, was elected to the upper house of state legislature from Konkan teachers’ constituency and has been vocal on issues related to education. “We have taken the decision to give a new political alternative to the people of Maharashtra,” said Patil. “In fact, the country needs an efficient democratic socialist alternative to prevent communal and fascist forces expanding their base. Only Nitish Kumar is capable of leading such a front,” he said.

Currently, the JD (U) has its base in Bihar and Jharkhand. This is for the first time it will get a known face in Maharashtra. The development is being seen as the party’s preparation to contest the state Assembly elections to be held in 2019.

While the Lok Bharati will be merged with JD (U), Patil may not be able to join the party immediately, as the rules for MLC don’t allow that. He will be appointed as convener for now. Patil is likely to join the party in the presence of Nitish Kumar at JD(U)’s first political conference in Maharashtra to be held in April.