BJP to back rebel Cong MLA in Sangli

BJP today decided to support rebel Congress MLA Ajit Ghorpade in Sangli Lok Sabha seat and has asked its candidate to withdraw nomination.

BJP on Wednesday decided to support rebel Congress MLA Ajit Ghorpade in Sangli Lok Sabha seat and has asked its candidate to withdraw nomination.

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BJP had fielded Deepak Shinde-Mhaisalkar for Sangli seat.

“With the objective of defeating Congress and ending the monopoly of a dynasty in Sangli constituency, BJP has decided to support Ghorpade, who is contesting as an independent,” state BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari told PTI.

State BJP president Nitin Gadkari has directed Shinde-Mhaisalkar to withdraw nomination, Bhandari said.

Ghorpade, who was eyeing Congress ticket from Sangli, entered poll arena after the party decided to field sitting MP Prateek Patil, grandson of late Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil, from the constituency in western Maharashtra.