Banners projecting BJP’s Malhar Patil as “future MP” spark political row in Dharashiv

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: BJP workers have sparked fresh political buzz in Dharashiv by putting up banners projecting BJP member Malhar Patil as a “future MP", days after six MPs, including Osmanabad MP Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, left Shiv Sena (UBT) to join deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led faction.The move has triggered speculation about a possible contest for the Lok Sabha seat within Mahayuti.Malhar, son of Tuljapur BJP MLA Ranajagajitsinha Patil and Dharashiv Zilla Parishad president Archana Patil, comes from a politically influential family. Despite now being part of the same alliance, the Patil and Rajenimbalkar families have long been bitter rivals in the region, adding significance to the banner campaign.Installed across Dharashiv city to mark Malhar’s birthday, the banners prominently feature the hashtag #MP2029, signalling his supporters’ ambitions for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Many of these banners were reportedly put up by BJP corporator Rahul Kakde, a close associate of Malhar. Kakde’s wife, Neha, heads the Dharashiv Municipal Council.The campaign has fuelled speculation that sections of the local BJP unit are keen to position Malhar as their prospective Lok Sabha candidate.

This comes even as Rajenimbalkar is expected to stake claim to the Osmanabad (Dharashiv) parliamentary seat on behalf of the alliance.Rajenimbalkar was among Sanjay Jadhav, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Sanjay Dina Patil who defected from Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena (UBT) to Shinde’s camp, bolstering the latter’s strength within Mahayuti.Political observers see the “Future MP” campaign as an indirect challenge to Rajenimbalkar’s claim and a reflection of the BJP’s growing aspirations in the constituency.