Patole's rebellion could damage BJP in Vidarbha

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nana Patole’s rebellion could have a wide-ranging impact on the party’s internal politics as well as its standing in Vidarbha. Mr Patole, who had unambiguously attacked the BJP leadership at the Centre and in the state, also raised the issue of an OBC ministry. Observers believe that Mr Patole is setting himself up to ditch the BJP. His leaving the party over the OBC ministry issue could damage the saffron party in Vidarbha, from where a large number of OBC votes are to be had.

Mr Patole levelled serious charges against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday in Nagpur. He named PM Modi ‘Someone who don’t like questions’ and CM Fadnavis ‘CM who failed in bringing money to the state from Delhi’.

Mr Patole, who was a three-times MLA before he went on to become an MP after defeating NCP’s Praful Patel in 2014, hails from the Vidarbha region, which has the highest population of OBCs in the state. The OBC community from the region has been giving unequivocal support to the BJP. But, Mr Patole’s raising the OBC card would definitely shake up this core vote bank.

Mr Patole was in Congress before he the joined BJP in the 2009 Assembly elections. If he were to rejoin the grand old party, it will be a major boost for it in Vidarbha, where its fortunes have diminished significantly.