New Delhi (TIP)- Sangli parliamentarian Vishal Patil on Thursday, June 6, extended his support to the Congress, taking the effective tally of the party to 100 even as it fixed two crucial meetings over the next two days that will shape its legislative and political agenda and take a call on naming the new Leader of Opposition (LoP).
Patil, the grandson of former Maharashtra chief minister Vasantdada Patil, was with the Congress, but fought the elections as an independent after ally Uddhav Thackeray staked claim to the Sangli seat. He emerged victorious by around 100,000 votes. His inclusion helps the Congress effectively touch three figures for the first time in a decade after two dismal showings in 2014 and 2019.
“The people of Maharashtra defeated the politics of treachery, arrogance and division. It is a fitting tribute to our inspiring stalwarts like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar who fought for social justice, equality and freedom. We welcome the support of the elected MP from Sangli Vishal Patil to the Congress party,” said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
The morale booster came a day before the party holds its legislative party meeting on Friday with its newly elected 99 members and Rajya Sabha parliamentarians. Another meeting of the top decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee (CWC), will be held on Saturday morning to discuss the 2024 campaign and strategy.
At both meetings, top of the leaders’ minds is likely to be the question of appointing the leader of Opposition (LoP). In both 2014 and 2019, the Congress fell short of the 10% seat benchmark required for appointing an LoP .
Though it is not officially part of the agenda, party leaders said that the issue will be discussed with Kharge likely to make a push for Rahul Gandhi, who is credited for reviving the party in the heartland after two lacklustre outings.
Gandhi won both his seats of Rae Bareli and Wayanad with significant margins. The 53-year-old is also favoured by Kharge for two reasons, said the people cited above. First, Gandhi is a strident opponent of Narendra Modi and the Sangh Parivar. The party believes having him as LoP will energise the party in Parliament and put the government on the defensive. Two, the party thinks Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatras gave him a larger worldview. Source: HT