Who Is Prithviraj Patil? Former Sangli Congress Leader to Join BJP Tomorrow

Sangli: After Jayashree Patil, District Chief Prithviraj Patil is leaving the Indian National Congress for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He had invited key BJP officials, including Maharashtra State President Ravindra Chavan and others, to his home for dinner on Monday.

The rumours regarding him jumping ship were confirmed as it was announced he will join the BJP officially on Wednesday. The joining will happen in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and key BJP state officials.

Prithviraj Patil claimed he is going to the BJP for the development of Sangli.

A closed-door meeting took place between BJP's Chavan and Patil, referred to as dinner diplomacy. Chavan was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore, Miraj MLA Suresh Khade, and others. Ravindra Chavan and Chandrakant Patil held discussions with party workers after dinner, where they announced his entry into the BJP.

Along with the betterment of Sangli, he also claimed Mahayuti's victory in the upcoming Sangli Miraj Kupwad Municipal Corporation elections. Prithviraj Patil also expressed his disappointment towards Congress and some of its leaders while announcing his decision. Yesterday, the shift was signed, and it will be official on 13th August when Prithviraj Patil joins the BJP in Mumbai.

Who is Prithviraj Patil?

Prithviraj Gulabrao Patil, known fondly as 'Baba,' was the president of the Sangli District Congress Committee. He also contested Legislative Assembly elections in 2019 and 2024. Earlier this month, he resigned from Congress due to multiple reasons, including factionalism and political tensions leading up to the upcoming local body elections.

Son of former Rajya Sabha MP Gulabrao Patil, the family had deep roots in Congress and was key in western Maharashtra politics post-Indian Independence. Prithviraj himself remained active within the Congress, playing a role in local cooperative movements and educational initiatives.

Prithviraj Patil contested the Sangli Legislative Assembly seat from Sangli constituency in 2019 and 2024. In both instances, he gave strong competition but lost to sitting MLA Sudhir Gadgil from the BJP. In 2024, many in Sangli say he only lost due to Jayashree Patil from Congress rebelling and contesting as an independent, damaging Prithviraj's chances.

MP Vishal Patil's Close Aide Manoj Sargar Joins BJP

Congress MP from Sangli Lok Sabha Constituency Vishal Patil's close aide, former corporator Manoj Sargar, is going to join the BJP as well. Sargar, a corporator based in the Sanjay Nagar area of Sangli, joined on Monday. Chandrakant Patil, who is also the guardian minister for Sangli District, is said to be key to these moves.

Chandrakant Patil had also publicly offered Vishal Patil an entry into the BJP, but he declined. Vishal Patil said the reason was ideological differences and his family's long legacy in Congress. However, his close aide Sargar's joining the BJP has started some speculations in Sangli's political circles.