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Voters will consider my experience and age, says NCP’s Shrinivas Patil in Satara
Many former governors joined active politics after completing their tenure, for example, PC Alexander, Sushilkumar Shinde, SM Krishna and others
Shrinivas Patil, former governor of Sikkim and two times Member of Parliament (MP), who is contesting elections from Satara Lok Sabha constituency, tells Hindustan Times why he chose to contest the upcoming by-polls at the age of 79 and why people should give him a chance to serve them.
Despite being a former governor and two-time MP, why are you contesting elections at the age of 79 years?
Many former governors joined active politics after completing their tenure, for example, PC Alexander, Sushilkumar Shinde, SM Krishna and others. I am not the first one to join the fray. I was not expecting that I will contest elections now, but as local MP and now Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Udyanraje Bhosale forced voters to face a by-poll election Sharad Pawar asked me if I can contest the elections.
Did you express a will to contest the election or did the party offer you a ticket?
Initially, NCP and Congress leaders were of the view that former chief minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan should contest election against Udyanraje, but as Chavan was willing to contest election from Karad assembly, Pawar asked me to contest from Satara. My supporters urged me to grab the opportunity and so I agreed.
Opposition parties are criticising that NCP has given a ticket to a senior citizen who cannot walk or speak properly?
I am indeed contesting the election at the age of 79 years, but voters will consider my experience and knowledge. On Thursday (October 3) I was present when Prithviraj Chavan filed his nominations from Karad and I participated in a rally after that. Later, in the day I went to Koregaon and Vai. In the evening on the same day, I attended a public rally where I got a huge response from the people. So I think I travelled more than Udyanraje during the campaign. So the criticism by the opposition leaders is not valid. I am sure I will come out victorious in the by-poll elections.
Do you believe people have faith in “seniors”, for example, Sharad Pawar?
We are directly connected to the people and do not involve in politics of fraction within the party. With the kind of experience we have in dealing with people’s problems, we study it carefully and then address them. So by considering our sincerity people put their faith in us.
