Mumbai: As Maharashtra gears up for the 2024 assembly elections, Jayant Patil, state president of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is eyeing a historic eighth term from the Islampur constituency in Sangli district. Patil, a prominent figure in state politics, has represented Islampur for nearly three decades and enjoys strong grassroots support.
Meanwhile, the ruling Mahayuti coalition is fielding BJP’s Nishikant Bhosale to take on Patil in Islampur. In the 2019 election, Patil secured over 115,000 votes, defeating independent candidate Nishikant Bhosale by over 70,000 votes, stamping his dominance in the region.
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His contributions in the region’s welfare testifies for his strong influence on the people of Islampur. His father Rajaram Bapu was an educationist and philanthropist who led development initiatives schools, drinking water wells, homes for poor, banking services, jobs for youth, etc. Following his father’s footsteps, he brought piped drinking and farm water to the Walva Taluka. The area was previously limited to traditional means only. He established Jayant Poverty Eradication Campaign which helped more than 50,000 individuals with a total amount of 48 crores. The campaign provides health services, education, housing, employment, financial assistance, rehabilitation, youth guidance, accessing Government schemes, etc.
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Mahayuti is looking to challenge Jayant Patil in his fortress. The elections are scheduled for November 20 and outcomes would significantly show how the recent turmoils within Shiv Sena and NCP affected electoral performances.