Rebels, multi-cornered contests and dynasts – that’s the overriding theme of the Assembly elections that are coming up this month. Of the 4000 plus candidates in the fray, more than 20 are related to current and former politicians. No political party, despite making loadedstatements about not supporting dynasties, is an exception to this trend.
Dynasts, it is believed, have ‘elective value’ with a ready support base, dedicated cadre, the goodwill the family may carry in the constituency and a familiar surname. Sons, daughters, nephews, nieces and in-laws are making their electoral debut in an election which is being fought more on allegations, accusations and changing loyalties than an ideology or development plans. If some offspring remain in the relative’s party, others are trying their luck in different parties with even siblings being split by political alliances.
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Rohit Patil, NCP (SP)
At 25, he is among the youngest candidates this time. A graduate in management studies, Rohit is banking on the immense goodwill earned by his father, R.R. Patil, or Aba, the former home minister of Maharashtra. Tasgaon Kavathe-Mahankal, the constituency his father represented since 1990, was later held by Rohit’s mother Suman after her husband’s death. Rohit has worked with the NCP (SP) and is earning political experience by working with milk cooperatives and local bodies in his constituency.
Yugendra Pawar, NCP (SP)
With the Pawar surname and his great uncle Sharad Pawar actively campaigning for him, Yugendra, 33, has got a dream start that debutante politicians can only dream of. A graduate in business administration from Boston, Yugendra must have grown up listening to stories of the state’s political landscape given that his father Shrinivas and uncle Ajit Pawar are known to be very close as siblings. In his first ever election, Yugendra is up against his uncle Ajit, a seasoned and influential politician.
Bhagyashree Atram, NCP (SP)
In what made for juicy political drama, the 43-year-old daughter for minister Dharmaraobaba Atram, who is now with Ajit Pawar’s NCP, defied her father to contest against him on an NCP (SP) ticket. She’s a former president of the Gadchiroli zilla parishad and with her nomination, the Atram family will see three members of the family contesting from the Aheri constituency from different political parties.
Chitralekha Patil, PWP
The 37-year-old daughter-in-law of Jayant Patil, president of the Peasants and Workers Party is the fourth generation member of her family to enter politics. She’s been running social and charitable activities and also leads the family-run educational institutes and recently was in the news for distributing 22000 bicycles to girls in the villages of Alibaug. She is contesting from Alibaug constituency.
Dr Babasaheb Annasaheb Deshmukh, PWP
After a bitter contest with the Shiv Sena (UBT) for the seat of Sangola, both, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the PWP have decided to contest. The PWP has nominated Dr Babasaheb Deshmukh, a medical doctor who has been running medical and charitable work in the area for several years now. He’s also the grandson of senior PWP leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh who was elected from the Sangola constituency in Solapur 11 times.
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